Shane Simpson – Running Back – Virginia
Ed Hunt: Were you satisfied with your overall results from your Pro Day?
Shane Simpson: Yes, very satisfied. My highest 40 was a high 4.4, and I benched 22 times and jumped 37-inches on the vert, which is one of the highest in the class. I had a really good day.
Ed Hunt: Tell us about the versatility you bring to a team.
Shane Simpson: I don’t want to be viewed as a just a running back. You can play me out, play me in the slot, kick return and punt return. I know I am the most diverse in this class.
Ed Hunt: What were your takeaways from the College Gridiron Showcase all-star game?
Shane Simpson: I liked it a lot. It was well organized. It was very safe. To have scouts come in and just sit down with coaches and scouts. I’m blessed I was able to have the opportunity.
Ed Hunt: What made you transfer to Virginia for your senior year?
Shane Simpson: It was more so to do when my season got cancelled at Towson. I was a two-time captain. I didn’t want to go out with a knee injury, and I couldn’t control it. I asked myself if I could do it at a power five school, and it came down to Texas and Virginia. I chose Virginia and I am so thankful that I did that.
Ed Hunt: Is the speed of the game a lot faster at the ACC level?
Shane Simpson: Not at all. The only the difference is there are bigger offensive linemen and defensive linemen. CAA has a lot of great competition. Nothing was different. Football is football at the end of the day.
Ed Hunt: What were some of the obstacles you faced during the pandemic?
Shane Simpson: With me coming back from my injury, I was 5 1/2 months out of surgery so it was more mental. I really couldn’t get into the gym in March. My trainer said I was approved by the CDC and I was leg pressing on my couch and squatting on my couch. So my leg wasn’t getting weaker. It would normally take 14 months to recover from an ACL, but it only took me 8 ½ months. My knee is really healthy.
Ed Hunt: Describe your game against the Tar Heels this year.
Shane Simpson: That was my breakout game. That was just getting myself back to where I was. I showed the coaching staff during the whole week of practice what I could do and when game time came, I just saw how the defense was set up and I told Brennan to look my way. I knew no linebacker is going to catch me in the open field. There is no difference between me playing in the CAA and ACC. That was when everybody was talking about how good JaVonte Williams and Michael Carter were, but I wanted to show who the better running back was that game.
Ed Hunt: Who are some underclassmen to keep an eye out for at Virginia?
Shane Simpson: Noah Taylor, Joey Blount, De’Vante Cross, Ryan Swoboda, Billy Kemp IV, Ra’Shaun Henry, Wayne Taulapapa, and my whole offensive line.
Ed Hunt: How would you sum up your career at Towson?
Shane Simpson: I got everything out of my experience at Towson. The only thing I wasn’t able to get was Offensive Player of the Year and a Conference Championship. I was 2x all-American, 3x all-conference and special teams’ player of the year and a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award for freshman. Without Towson there is no me and so I can’t thank them enough.
Ed Hunt: What was your best memory or highlight from your time with the Tigers?
Shane Simpson: I had quite a bit. I would say playing at Villanova in 2018 and being a Pennsylvania guy, I didn’t want to lose. We wanted to show the world Towson is back and I had 230 yards all-purpose. That was one of the best moments at Towson. The Delaware game, I don’t want to say this because we lost. Individually, I had 345 yards all-purpose and 320 yards receiving. But because we lost, I don’t like bringing that game up.
Ed Hunt: You were a sports management major. Do you want to work in an NFL front office some day?
Shane Simpson: Not really, I really enjoy helping people. I want to be a trainer or a running back coach. I think that is my niche. I want to teach what I didn’t know. Help the kids. That’s what I want to do next.
Ed Hunt: We heard you were a pretty good dancer. How did you get into dancing? What is your specialty?
Shane Simpson: People who know me know I’m not a serious guy. Jersey Club dancing. The beats in Jersey Club dancing got much faster. I always like dancing. That’s how I express myself. If there is a chance to goof around, you will see me dancing.
