Clemson Tigers linebacker Trenton Simpson is one of the top non-edge rushing linebackers in the 2023 NFL Draft class. For teams searching for that modern-day linebacker who can get after the QB or be smooth in coverage, Simpson may be among the best of the bunch.
Yet, he’s not without his flaws, as there’s a reason why Simpson isn’t viewed as a surefire first-round pick. He may not be a three-down player at the next level for one specific reason.
While Simpson comes with plenty of experience playing for a top college football program at Clemson, he does have plenty of room for growth at the next level. So what are Simpson’s strengths and weaknesses? We’ll break it all down in his draft profile below.
Trenton Simpson measurables
- Trenton Simpson height: 6-foot-2
- Trenton Simpson weight: 235 pounds
- Trenton Simpson 40 time: 4.43 seconds
Let’s dive into our Trenton Simpson scouting report and NFL projection.
Trenton Simpson stats and background
Trenton Simpson has always been a magnificent athlete. This was evident coming out of Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, where 247 Sports ranked Simpson as a five-star recruit. Yet, unlike his high school career where he played both sides, handling running back and linebacker duties, now Simpson would focus all his attention on the defensive side of the ball.
Simpson was initially slated to head to Auburn before later committing to Clemson instead. This would be a wise move, as he got into 12 games as a true freshman with the Tigers before becoming a full-time starter in 2021.
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He’d go on to record multiple sacks in each of his three collegiate seasons and forced three fumbles as well, but he never recorded an interception.
| Trenton Simpson stats | Tackles | Sacks | Pass deflections |
| 2020 | 28 (6.5 TFL) | 4 | 0 |
| 2021 | 65 (12.5 TFL) | 6.5 | 2 |
| 2022 | 72 (4 TFL) | 2.5 | 3 |
As you can see, Simpson routinely made an impact behind the line of scrimmage, but from just looking at the stat sheet, one wouldn’t think he also handled himself well in coverage, but that’s actually one of Simpson’s areas of strength.
Statistics courtesy of College Football Reference, ESPN, and Pro Football Focus
Trenton Simpson scouting report
Despite being 6-foot-3, Simpson weighs just 225 pounds, which is closer to the mass of a safety than a linebacker. Perhaps this lack of ideal size contributed to his less-than-ideal performance as a run-stopper, but this is an area that could be developed as he gains more experience.
As is, Simpson gets excited, often overpursuing ballcarriers leading to missed tackles. Yet, he also has the speed and athleticism to make up for mistakes, which is why some scouts are still extremely enamored with his entire skillset, knowing he should only improve with more reps.
Still, what Simpson can do right now as an off-ball linebacker should generate plenty of interest. He has sideline-to-sideline speed which could make him a tackling machine.
Yet that same athleticism allows him to stick in coverage with the most athletic tight ends in football, even holding his own when matched up on certain receivers in the slot, or when limiting ballcarriers from springing for a big play out of the backfield.
Simpson can cover, he can pressure QBs, and he’s not a poor tackler, he just needs to learn how to take better angles to the ball at times. As mentioned, this is something that can be developed over time. What can’t be taught is his speed, which Simpson has in spades.
- Trenton Simpson draft grade: 75/100
- Trenton Simpson draft projection: First or second-round pick
NFL projection for Trenton Simpson
Trenton Simpson is a true athletic freak at the linebacker position. His 4.43 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine is the fifth-fastest time for a linebacker in combine history. Yet as we’ve seen too many times, just because an athlete has NFL speed, it doesn’t mean he has the game to match.
In Simpson’s case, no one questions his athletic ability, but there is some skepticism surrounding his instincts. While he clearly has the closing speed to finish the play, what about being a gamechanger who can also force turnovers? He didn’t record a single interception in college and had just five career pass breakups.
But linebackers with Simpson’s size and speed don’t enter the draft every year, and his overall body of work is sure to garner plenty of interest from teams looking to bolster their linebacker depth. Simpson could very well sneak into the first round, going to a team with interest in a high-ceiling player who could develop into a Pro Bowl talent.
Chances are Simpson will slip into the second round. As much value as he can have as a versatile coverage/blitzing linebacker, he still needs to prove he can hold his own against the power-running game, going toe-to-toe with the biggest monsters on the gridiron. This, in addition to his ability to read and react, may be the only reasons why Simpson won’t be a top-31 pick on April 27.
Yet, whoever gets Simpson will be adding an absolute missile who can fly around on special teams, erase tight ends in coverage, or surprise pass protectors with his quick first step. Will that be enough to make him a three-down linebacker at the next level? We should find out soon enough.