Five-star linebacker accepts Clemson offer instantly

★★★★★ Trenton Simpson‍ - 6-3 - 224 pounds - Mallard Creek, Charlotte, N.C.

Head Coach: Michael Palmieri

Overview: Five-star linebacker who committed to Clemson on Dec. 14, 2019 and signed with the Tigers four days later … will play in Under Armour All-America Game on Jan. 2, 2020 in Orlando … rated as the top player in the state of North Carolina according to many services … participated in The Opening in Frisco, Texas in the summer of 2019.

Rankings: Ranked as the No. 13 overall player in the nation by 247Sports, which also listed him as the second-best linebacker and top player in North Carolina … Rivals.com rated Simpson as the No. 26 overall player, the second-best linebacker and top player in North Carolina … ESPN.com ranked Simpson No. 107 overall, the 11th-best linebacker and fourth-best player in North Carolina … listed as the top player in North Carolina by the Charlotte Observer … named first-team postseason All-American by Sports Illustrated.

In High School: Played for Michael Palmieri at Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte …helped his team to a 10-1 record and No. 3 ranking in the state of North Carolina according to MaxPreps … started his high school career as a running back, playing both running back and linebacker in 2019 … led the Mallard Creek defense with 20 sacks … had 44 carries for 371 yards and six touchdowns … for his career, recorded 97 carries for 799 yards and seven touchdowns with 8.2-yard average per carry.

Personal: Recruited to Clemson by Danny Pearman and Brent Venables … originally committed to Auburn …  wore No. 22 in high school … expected to enroll at Clemson in January 2020.

Lowell Likes:

Are you tired of hearing the word versatility with these recruits yet? Simpson is another guy who could play a multitude of positions within Clemson’s defense. He could get a little bigger and play on the inside, or he could stay where he is now and play the Isaiah Simmons role. He could even get bigger and move down to defensive end. His burst is insane, and gives him the ability to easily go around in blockers, and from sideline to sideline he’s one of the quicker linebackers I’ve seen come to Clemson. His combination of size and speed reminds me a lot of Simmons, and that may be the position he could thrive the most in.