Fort Dorchester’s John Simpson picks Clemson over Florida, LSU

One wouldn’t be surprised if Fort Dorchester’s John Simpson let everything about the recruitment process get to him.

He was courted by a who’s who of top programs in the region. Millionaire coaches have had eyes on him since 10th grade.

Yet he didn’t let the hype overwhelm him and put his recruitment to bed Wednesday when he picked Clemson from a final three that included Florida and LSU. He came into signing day as the top-rated uncommitted prospect in South Carolina.

“Me and coach (Steve) LaPrad talk about it a lot and he told me to stay humble through the whole process,” Simpson said. “I try a lot to limit the amount I talk about football. I don’t like talking about football like that, because I mean, I still feel like I’m not the best.”

He’s about to join a team that’s pretty close. Off its national title game run, Clemson loses a pair of starting linemen, though the group overall was pretty young.

Simpson was a key part of an undefeated Patriots team that rolled to a state championship. The squad had talent all over, but Simpson was arguably its best, a powerful and mobile anchor up front.

LaPrad has seen three former players grow into NFL stars and thinks with the right guidance, Simpson could reach that point. He’s come pretty far already.

“John moved over here from a neighboring school here in Charleston,” LaPrad said. “When he got here, on his schedule he had three core classes. He was entering his junior year.

“I think that’s what I’m talking about with Fort Dorchester High School. People took him under their wing. John was ready to do what he had to do academically. John went to night school. John went to school before school, during school, lunchtime. John has worked a whole lot harder academically than he has athletically.”

He now boasts a 3.2 GPA.

The Tigers are in the process of locking down a loaded class, and Simpson is now a part of it. There was something that stood out to him when he visited the Upstate, and he’ll be a part of it soon enough.

“I really liked the atmosphere when I got up there,” Simpson said. “Everybody treats me like I’m part of the family. That’s what I’m really, really looking for in a school. The coaching staff, they’re really, really open. It’s like their arms are open for me.”

This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 12:41 PM.