Simpson is making the rare leap from six-man football to the NCAA Division II ranks.
“It means a lot coming from a small school. I’m first person in 40 years to come out of here so it’s a dream come true,” Simpson said of signing to continue to his football career. “I want to thank my family, all my teammates, my coaches, and all the fans.”
According to Blanket head coach Tyler Tabor, 1973 was the last year Blanket sent a football player to the college ranks.
“This is huge for our small community and six-man football in general,” Tabor said. “I think he has tons of potential and he has chance to be a good player at that level. He had a great career here playing four years and three sports, sometimes four sports. He’s definitely been a leader the last three years in football, basketball, and track. He just pulls kids with him. He’s been a huge part of the success we’ve had the last three years, and he’s just a great young man. His character is awesome, he leads by example, and he’ll be an asset to their program at ASU, no doubt.”
As a senior, Simpson led Blanket with 47 tackles, including six for loss, and grabbed 13 catches for 261 yards and two touchdowns from the tight end position.
Simpson chose Blanket over Hardin-Simmons and Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas.
Regarding the interest he received from schools despite playing six-man football, Simpson said. “I was surprised, but I felt like if it was meant to be it was meant to be, but I was excited.”
As for the challenges that will come from the change to 11-man football, Simpson said, “There’s the field and the personnel, there are so many more people in positions than I’m used to. And the terminology is a big difference.”
Simpson said of his goals at ASU, “I hope to be on the field as much as possible and do as much as I can for them.”
Simpson intends to study business and accounting at Angelo State.
Recalling his fondest memories at Blanket, Simpson cited, “sharing the field with all my teammates from freshman year to my senior year, and all the bus rides.”
