Andre Simpson [6’ 190 lbs | 2013 Leto RB]

Offers: University of South Florida, North Carolina State

Drawing Interest From: Purdue, Wisconsin

Bench: 225
Squat: 345
40: 4.5

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The Leto Falcons struggled this year. Although winless, the Falcons have one of the more talented running backs in the area, Andre Simpson.

The six-foot tall junior ran for 800 yards on 139 carries for the Falcons and led the team with five touchdowns.

“I was just trying to put the team on my back like the coach wanted me to,” he said of his season. “Next year I know I’m gonna hit the 1,000 yard mark, hopefully get over a 1,200.”

After spending his freshman year at Robinson High School, on the junior varsity team, Simpson was forced to miss a season. Following some family issues between his mom and his sister Simpson moved to North Carolina where he spent his sophomore season. He did not play football.

“I was going through problems with my sister and mom,” Simpson explained. “I just needed to get away; when I came back everything was alright. Me just being away helped.”

He came back with a vengeance. Although playing on a winless team, Simpson won over a number of colleges.

“[College coaches] always tell me that I’m a good football player because it’s not the record that I’m worrying about it’s just the love of the game,” Simpson explained. “A lot of people quit on us. It takes a lot they say to keep going.”

On top of rushing for 800 yards Simpson also returned kicks for the Falcons. He averaged over 22 yards per return and narrowly missed breaking a 94-yard return for a touchdown as he was caught inside the five yard line.

He feels that he can be a successful returner at the next level and says that returning kicks at Leto has helped him to read defenders and find seams.

Simpson’s run game in the backfield has evolved since his freshman year at Robinson.

“When we first started last year I liked to get my space but now I’m starting to run through the holes and if they aren’t there I can bounce outside,” the 190 pound back explained. “I’m still looking for improvement. It’s going to be a brand new style next year, run outside and inside. We’re gonna be a bigger team in Hillsborough County.”

As for playing at the next level Simpson says that he doesn’t have any particular school or geographical area in mind. It just depends what is the best offer for him.

He hopes his coaches at Leto would tell college coaches in regards to his performance on the field that “He won’t give up. No matter what the score is he’s still gonna go his hardest the next play.”

“I’m just trying to love the game and hopefully go to the next level with it,” Andre Simpson said.