If you’ve been following Mountain West football over the last couple of years, you already know the name. But for a lot of people outside the "Blue Turf" bubble, Andrew Simpson was sorta this hidden gem—a guy who played with his hair on fire but didn't always get the national spotlight he deserved.
Then he hit the portal.
It wasn't just a small ripple. It was a massive wave. When the former Andrew Simpson Boise State linebacker decided to move on after the 2024 season, basically every big program in the country started blowing up his phone. We’re talking Miami, USC, UCLA, and Florida.
Why?
Because you don't find 6-foot, 238-pound linebackers who can rush the passer, drop in coverage, and force fumbles like they’re going out of style every day. Honestly, his journey from a three-star recruit at St. John Bosco to becoming a staple of a Bill Belichick-led defense in 2025 is the kind of stuff that makes college football great.
The Boise State Years: Building a Monster
Andrew Simpson didn't just walk into Boise and become a star. He had to wait. After a redshirt year in 2021, he started showing flashes in 2022, but 2023 was the real "oh, okay, this guy is different" moment.
He was everywhere.
Seriously, look at the 2023 stat sheet. He finished with 66 tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. He wasn't just a "thumper" in the middle; he was a heat-seeking missile. That performance earned him a Third Team All-America nod from the College Football Network and Second Team All-Mountain West honors.
The 2024 season was more of the same, even if the raw tackle numbers look a bit lower at 46. You have to look at the impact plays. He tied for the lead in the Mountain West with three forced fumbles.
He basically became the soul of that defense.
Think about the Oregon game in September 2024. Boise State nearly pulled off the upset of the century against the No. 7 Ducks, losing 37-34. Simpson was a nightmare for Dillon Gabriel that night, recording five tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and a strip-sack.
That was the game where NFL scouts really started circling his name in red ink.
The Shocking Move to North Carolina
When Simpson entered the portal in March 2025, it caught a lot of people off guard. He was a hero in Boise. But the allure of playing for Bill Belichick—who took over the North Carolina job in a move that still feels like a fever dream—was too much to pass up.
Simpson didn't mince words about it either. He wanted to boost his draft stock. He wanted a "championship pedigree."
He found it in Chapel Hill.
Transitioning from the high desert of Idaho to the Atlantic Coast Conference isn't always easy, but Simpson made it look like a walk in the park. He reunited with his best friend, defensive back Thad Dixon, and immediately became the vocal leader of a completely overhauled linebacker room.
In his final collegiate season in 2025, he proved he wasn't just a "Group of Five" wonder.
- 62 total tackles
- 9.0 tackles for loss
- 5.0 sacks
- 1 interception
- A pass rush grade from PFF that ranked 27th in the nation
He wasn't just playing linebacker; he was a "menace," as some ACC commentators put it. He played with a relentless pursuit that you just can't teach. It's that St. John Bosco DNA mixed with the "blue-collar" chip on his shoulder from his days as a Bronco.
What the Scouts are Saying for 2026
Right now, the buzz around the 2026 NFL Draft has Simpson's name climbing. He’s no longer just a "small school" standout. He’s a proven veteran with over 50 games of experience and a resume that includes dominant performances against both the Big Ten and the ACC.
✨ Don't miss: Indiana Fever Game Results: Why the Box Score Never Tells the Whole Story
The biggest thing scouts love? Versatility.
He can plug a gap on 4th-and-1, but he’s also athletic enough to carry a tight end up the seam. In an NFL that’s obsessed with "positionless" defenders, Simpson fits the mold of a modern-day Will or Mike linebacker.
Some analysts, like those over at WalterFootball, have seen similar players with his profile land anywhere from the 2nd to the 4th round. His 40-time at the combine is going to be huge. If he clocks in the 4.5 range at 235+ pounds, he might just sneak into the top 50 picks.
Why He Still Matters to Boise State Fans
Even though he finished his career in a different shade of blue, Simpson’s legacy at Boise State is secure. He was a bridge between eras. He helped lead the Broncos to a Mountain West Championship in 2023 and a College Football Playoff berth in 2024.
He stayed when the coaching staff changed. He played through injuries.
He was "Built Different," which is the mantra Spencer Danielson has leaned into.
When you look back at the 2024 Fiesta Bowl against Penn State, even in a loss, Simpson was out there grinding, recording four tackles and a TFL against a massive Nittany Lion offensive line. He never took a play off.
That’s the kind of player you miss.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re looking to track Andrew Simpson as he moves toward the professional ranks, here are a few things to keep an eye on over the next few months:
- The Senior Bowl Invite: This is the big one. If Simpson gets the call to Mobile, expect his stock to skyrocket as he works in front of NFL coaching staffs.
- Combine Testing: Specifically his "shuttle" and "three-cone" times. Scouts know he’s fast linearly, but they want to see his lateral agility.
- Scheme Fit: Watch for teams like the Patriots (obviously), Ravens, or Lions—teams that value high-IQ, high-motor linebackers who aren't afraid to hit someone.
Andrew Simpson might have started as a kid from Norwalk, California, but he leaves college as one of the most productive and respected defensive players in the country. Whether you remember him for the sacks on the Blue Turf or the leadership in Chapel Hill, one thing is certain: he’s earned everything he’s about to get.
Keep an eye on the draft boards. Simpson is coming, and he’s not planning on slowing down.