2/5/2018 football Edit

TCU snags high three-star LB commit in Jacoby Simpson

Nick Krueger • Rivals.com

Recruiting Analyst

Nick Krueger joined Rivals.com as a multimedia producer in 2011 and has covered recruiting in the state of Texas since 2016. He also co-hosts and produces Rivals' weekly podcast, Commitment Issues.

Jacoby Simpson might not be the household name that several other recruits have become with National Signing Day right around the corner, but he’s always kept a low profile while delivering some explosive hits on the football field.

That's just the kind of player that Gary Patterson and TCU turn into stars year-in and year-out.

With the Horned Frogs preparing for life after their leading tackler from this past season in Travin Howard, graduates, the staff wasted no time in getting involved with Simpson. The Houston-MacArthur inside linebacker de-committed from Arizona State following Todd Graham’s dismissal at the end of fall.

While TCU was one of the best in the Big 12 in 2017, Simpson thinks that there is an opportunity for him to help lead the team to more success next season.

“Just like any other program, it’s up to you to get the play time,” he said. “But they’re going to give me all the tools to be successful and it’s up to me on what I do with it.”

TCU wasn’t the only team gunning for his commitment this week. Texas Tech is always looking for capable defenders and made a strong play for Simpson as well down the stretch. He actually took an official visit to Lubbock after his trip to Fort Worth, but the impression made by the Frogs staff was too strong.

“Texas Tech was, in fact, the next team on the board for me,” he said. “I really loved the program, but my gut just told me that TCU was the school for me.”

Simpson became the Frogs’ 21st commit this year, and and TCU maintains its top-25 class in the Rivals class recruiting rankings with a few more targets left on the board. After watching how close TCU came to competing for a conference title in 2017, he feels he’ll be part of the group that helps the team play for a championship next season.

“Just sitting down with Coach Patterson and understanding what he’s all about on and off the field was huge,“ he said. “I feel like myself, along with the other Carter Boy commits will definitely help TCU get over that hump.”