Jim Nagy predicts Jaylin Simpson to ‘blow up’ at NFL combine
Auburn safety Jaylin Simpson has made his presence known to opposing offenses through three games.
He has hauled in three interceptions, which is the most in that span since Jerraud Powers reeled in three in three games in 2007. He is also one of the highest-graded defensive players on the Tigers’ roster with an 80.1 overall grade by Pro Football Focus.
He is already generating plenty of NFL buzz and has caught the attention of Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy.
In a recent interview with On3, Nagy mentioned the athleticism of Simpson by pointing out that he can dunk a basketball despite being 5-feet-11. Matching that with his on-field presence, Simpson could make a splash at next year’s NFL combine.
“So you’re talking about a guy that’s gonna blow up the combine. You see the range,” Nagy said in an interview with On3’s Andy Staples. “He’s got true centerfield skills, and probably athletic enough to play some nickel. I think that’s what a lot of teams right now are looking for, that nickel/free type of player, and they’ve got so many good ones.”
Simpson is having a wonderful season to this point, but Nagy says that the combination of Simpson with linebacker Eugene Asante is a lethal one for the Auburn defense.
“You add Simpson into the mix and Eugene Asante at linebacker, I watched him the other day. Unbelievable against Cal, and to think that he was on the bench last year and on the scout team, crazy to think because they had Owen Pappoe a year ago as an off-the-ball linebacker who was the fastest guy at last year’s combine,” Nagy said. “Eugene Asante is every bit as fast on tape and he’s a more natural football player than Owen Pappoe was and this guy didn’t even play, wasn’t even on our watch list.”
Outside of those two players, Nagy says that he is intrigued by defensive backs Nehemiah Pritchett and DJ James, as well as transfers Justin Rogers and Jayson Jones.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
