Wildcats Get Their Man

Sam Simpson had heard the talk since he started picking up scholarship offers. Would he follow in his father’s shadow and become a member of the University of Kentucky football program? Or would he look to leave his hometown and make a name for himself elsewhere? Today the Wildcats get their man.

Scout.com three star center Sam Simpson issued his verbal pledge to his hometown team the Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday afternoon during a press conference at his high school. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Simpson had narrowed his choices down to several SEC programs including Tennessee, Auburn, Vanderbilt and Alabama with Virginia being the other program in the running.

Simpson is considered one of the top centers in the country with his athletic ability and football IQ. The son of a coach, Simpson used the period during the spring and summer to visit as many programs he had serious interest in committing to. But in the end he couldn’t pass up the chance to play where his father had played and stay in his hometown allowing his family the chance to see him play during his college career.

The Lexington (KY) Henry Clay High School star shows on film the ability to snap with both hands and use his feet to reach second level defenders to open up holes. He’s a perfect fit for the Wildcats offensive style and should be able to compete for playing time as a true freshmen.

With Simpson’s commitment the Wildcats have added a major piece to the puzzle called the Class of 2009. He’s the sixteenth commitment for the class and while not the highest rated, he’s one the program can use to close down the commonwealth of Kentucky and states surrounding it.