Ko Simpson
No. 30
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1983-11-09) November 9, 1983
Rock Hill, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:202 lb (92 kg)
Career information
High school:Rock Hill
College:South Carolina
NFL Draft:2006 / Round: 4 / Pick: 105
Career history
Career highlights and awards
  • SEC Freshman of the Year (2004)
  • 2× All-American (2004-2005)
  • 2× All-SEC (2004-2005)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:174
Sacks:1
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:1
Interceptions:3
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Yukota "Ko" Simpson (born November 9, 1983) is a former American football safety. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at South Carolina.

He has also played for the Detroit Lions.

Early life

Simpson was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina and attended Castle Heights Middle School and Rock Hill High School where he helped lead the team to a Class AAAA State Championship playing on both offense and defense. He signed a letter of intent with South Carolina in 2003, but did not enroll until spring of 2004 under then head coach Lou Holtz.[1]

College career

Simpson attended and played college football at South Carolina.[2] In his freshman season, Simpson recorded 50 solo tackles, 11 assists and six interceptions. Against Georgia, in only his second collegiate game, he intercepted a David Greene pass and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown. He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Gamecocks' win over Arkansas which included a fumble recovery returned 57 yards for a touchdown.[1] His six interceptions led the Southeastern Conference and he was named Freshman of the Year in the SEC by the Associated Press,[3] becoming the first South Carolina player to ever win the award.

As a sophomore, Simpson had 103 total tackles, two fumble returns and an interception.[1] He was consensus All-SEC and named a Football Writers Association All-American.[4]

Professional career

Buffalo Bills

Simpson was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft with the 105th overall pick.[5] On September 11, 2007, Simpson was placed on injured reserve.[6]

Detroit Lions

Simpson was traded to the Detroit Lions for a seventh round pick on September 4, 2009.[7] On November 25, Simpson was placed on injured reserve with a torn patella with a separated MCL.

He was released by the Lions on September 4, 2010.[8][9]

NFL statistics

Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
GGSCombTotalAstSackFFFRYdsIntYdsAvgLngTDPD
2006BUF 16157650261.0100276387604
2007BUF 111100.0000000000
2008BUF 16116651150.0000000002
2009DET 85302640.0010188804
Career4132173128451.01103812776010

Personal life

On January 1, 2009, Simpson was arrested by a Rock Hill, South Carolina police officer for hindering police while they were attempting to break up an unruly crowd. According to the police report, Simpson verbally abused officers.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Athletic Department. "Player Bio:Ko Simpson". University of South Carolina. Archived from the original on January 1, 2007. Retrieved November 2, 2006.
  2. ↑ Strelow, Paul (November 6, 2004). "Simpson does it all for Gamecocks". Spartanburg Herald Journal. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  3. ↑ Iacobelli, Pete (December 7, 2004). "Simpson named AP SEC freshman of the year". Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008. Retrieved November 2, 2006.
  4. ↑ Babb, Kent (May 1, 2006). "Simpson drops to 4th round". The State. Retrieved November 2, 2006.
  5. ↑ "2006 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  6. ↑ "NFL notebook: Everett moves limbs". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. September 12, 2007. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Bills trade Simpson to Lions". BuffaloBills.com. September 5, 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  8. ↑ Yuille, Sean (September 4, 2010). "NFL Roster Cuts: Lions Release Ko Simpson". Pride Of Detroit. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  9. ↑ Kowalski, Tom (June 5, 2010). "Lions' Ko Simpson showed flashes, but not enough to be dependable". mlive.com. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Bills' Simpson asks for program to erase charge". San Diego Union-Tribune. Associated Press. February 5, 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
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