Auburn’s senior defensive back, Jaylin Simpson, has added to the roster of Auburn players participating in the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl by accepting an invitation. This move has sparked speculation about Simpson’s intentions to forgo his final year of eligibility and transition to the NFL Draft. The Senior Bowl made the announcement via the social platform X (formerly known as Twitter), and Simpson is now the third Auburn defensive back slated to appear in the Senior Bowl on February 3.
Simpson’s decision to join the Senior Bowl follows a noteworthy 2023 season where he played at the safety position, amassing impressive statistics, including 36 tackles, four interceptions, and four pass breakups. Pro Football Focus awarded him a remarkable 78.3 season grade. Throughout the season, Simpson demonstrated defensive prowess, allowing only one touchdown in coverage out of 25 targets, as per PFF.
Recognized by major sports media outlets, Simpson earned midseason All-American honors from ESPN, the Associated Press, CBS Sports, Pro Football Focus, Fox Sports, USA Today, Sporting News, The Athletic, 247 Sports, and the Reese’s Senior Bowl. He also received All-SEC recognition from the Associated Press earlier in the week.
Beyond his on-field contributions, Simpson’s impact in Auburn’s locker room has been significant. His “Plankton Mentality” quote and the concept of the “turnover seatbelt” for the Auburn secondary gained attention and support from both players and fans. Additionally, Simpson took on the responsibility of preparing the younger defensive backs in the team for the changes the position is expected to undergo.
In an interview with Auburn Athletics’ writer Jeff Shearer, Simpson emphasized the need for the younger players to step up, acknowledging that they will eventually be responsible for the team’s secondary. Despite these mentorship efforts, it seems that Simpson’s departure from Auburn is imminent, with his participation in the Senior Bowl marking a significant step toward the NFL Draft.
While Simpson has not officially addressed his future plans on social media, accepting an invite to the Senior Bowl is typically viewed as the initial step in preparing for the NFL Draft. The 2024 Senior Bowl, sponsored by the NFL Players Association, is scheduled to commence at noon on February 3 at Mobile’s Hancock Whitney Stadium, with live coverage on NFL Network. Despite his impending departure, Simpson has affirmed his commitment to play in Auburn’s bowl game against Maryland on December 30, providing fans with one last opportunity to witness his talents on the college stage.
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