Miami football return of DL coach Jess Simpson keeps recruiting strong in Georgia
The pipeline the Miami football program has curated in Georgia will continue to be strong with the return of defensive line coach Jess Simpson earlier this year. After previously serving at Miami in the same position for the Hurricanes in 2018, Simpson left to be the assistant DL coach with the Atlanta Falcons.
Simpson was an elite high school coach compiling a 164-12 record in 12 seasons at Buford, Georgia. Simpson also had a short stint as the defensive line and assistant head coach at Georgia State in 2016. Miami currently has eight players from Georgia on their roster. That includes 2021 signees Jake Garcia and Thomas Davis.
Garcia could be the Miami quarterback of the future out of Grayson High School near Atlanta after moving from California for his senior year. Only five of the Miami players from Georgia are on scholarship. In addition to Davis and Garcia, cornerback Isaiah Dunson and offensive lineman Jakai Clark and Zalon’tae Hillery are from Georgia.
Four-star quarterback Jacurri Brown who was teammates with Davis at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia is the only commit for Miami in 2022. Miami is recruiting multiple players from Georgia in the Class of 2022. Several of those players are strongly considering Miami. Simpson will likely be a part of that.
DL coach Jess Simpson said it's cool to be back at Miami coaching some of the guys he recruited in 2018. He said chance to return home to Atlanta in 2019 and be Falcons DL coach was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. Coming back to Miami, though, "was an easy decision."
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) February 3, 2021
During his previous stint with the Miami football program, Simpson was credited with the Hurricanes signing defensive linemen Jason Blissett who retired during the 2021 offseason, Jahfari Harvey, Jared Harrison-Hunte, Jalar Holley and Cameron Williams. Holley is the only player from those five who is from Georgia.
Simpson was also credited with Georgia State signing two players from the Peach Tree State. Recruiting Georgia has become increasingly important in recent years with players like quarterbacks Justin Fields, Trevor Lawrence and Deshaun Watson all from Georgia. Former Miami running back DeeJay Dallas was also from Georgia.
Miami needs to continue recruiting well in Georgia. The Hurricanes will continue to utilize the blueprint set by late legendary head coach Howard Schnellenberger winning the “State of Miami.” That signing as many of the top recruits from Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties and then expanding their base from there.
Georgia has become a breeding ground for QBs. Although Garcia is not originally from Georgia, singing him was a critical part of the Hurricanes 2020 recruiting class. It has been many years since Miami signed a QB from South Florida. Even during their championship years, the Hurricanes starting QB was usually from out of state.
Next. Miami 2021 Class almost fully enrolled. dark
The connections Simpson has in Atlanta and throughout Georgia can only help the Miami football program recruit in Peach Tree State. Simpson preceded and succeeded Todd Stroud as the Miami DL coach. Stroud was reassigned in the offseason to the position of senior football advisor. Stroud will likely assist in recruiting.