Mallard Creek 5-star Trenton Simpson make surprise commitment to his S.C. dream school
It’s been a pretty memorable couple of days for Mallard Creek High linebacker Trenton Simpson.
Recently named a 5-star recruit, the highest-available ranking, by several scouting services, Simpson was named the NC Preps’ state high school football player of the year Thursday.
On Saturday afternoon, while on an official visit to Clemson, Tigers coach Dabo Swinney offered Simpson a scholarship during the Tigers’ practice. Simpson said yes almost as soon as the national championship coach got the words out of his mouth.
He is the 22nd member of Clemson’s 2020 recruiting class.
“I just didn’t want to let the opportunity pass,” Simpson told the Observer Saturday night, still enjoying his visit. “This has been my dream school for the longest. There was no need in waiting (to commit)....Once he offered, I said, ‘I’m coming. There’s no doubt about it.’”
Simpson initially committed to Auburn last summer, but later de-committed and re-opened his recruitment. He had announced he would name his college choice on Wednesday, and admitted if he didn’t get this Clemson offer, he likely was going to choose North Carolina.
Simpson had scholarship offers from schools like Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, Penn State and South Carolina.
But Simpson had a good feeling after a home visit with Clemson coaches Thursday.
“I was banking on this coming through,” Simpson said, “and I took my home visit on Thursday and came up on Friday. It’s just been so great.”
This season, Simpson -- a 6-foot-3, 230-pound senior -- led his team to a 10-1-1 record and an I-MECK 4A conference championship. Mallard Creek lost 13-7 to eventual N.C. 4AA state champion Vance in the second round of the playoffs.
For the season, Simpson had 98 total tackles and 18 sacks. He had 45 tackles for a loss, three caused fumbles and 22 quarterback hurries in 10 games. He played the Mavericks’ first two games, including a 27-27 tie with S.C. 5A champion Dutch Fork, as a running back only.
On offense, he ran 44 times for 371 yards and six touchdowns.
Simpson, is the No. 1 recruit in the Observer’s top 25 rankings of the top seniors in North Carolina. 247 Sports ranks him as the No 13 overall player in the class of 2020, the top player in North Carolina and the No. 2 recruit nationally at outside linebacker.
“It’s a great relief,” Simpson said. “I’ve got a couple more days and it’ll be official.”
Simpson will sign with Clemson on Wednesday, and he will graduate from Mallard Creek early. He’ll start as a freshman in college on Jan. 5.
“I know things happen for a reason,” Simpson said, “and I ended up coming to a place where my heart was since I was young. Auburn was temporary and good while it lasted but now I’m settled and 100 percent committed and it feels so good.”
