Jaylin Simpson Bio
Jaylin Simpson is an American professional football safety for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers, where he developed into a standout defensive back and earned First-team All-SEC honors in 2023. Born on March 17, 2000, in Brunswick, Georgia, Simpson entered the NFL in 2024 after a productive college career that showcased his ball skills and tackling ability.
Early Life and Background
Jaylin Simpson was born in Brunswick, Georgia, and grew up in the coastal region of southeast Georgia. He attended Frederica Academy on Saint Simons Island, where he distinguished himself as a two-way player in high school. Simpson played primarily as a quarterback and defensive back, handling responsibilities on both sides of the ball throughout his prep career.
On offense at Frederica Academy, Simpson completed 147 of 282 pass attempts for 2,349 yards and 27 touchdowns against eight interceptions. He added 1,286 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground, and he contributed 39 receptions for 526 yards and seven receiving touchdowns as a playmaker in space. On defense, he recorded 138 tackles with 12 tackles for loss, 13 interceptions, six forced fumbles, and four defensive touchdowns, demonstrating the versatility that would later define his college profile.
Coming out of high school, Simpson was rated a four-star defensive back by recruiting analysts. He chose to play college football at Auburn University over scholarship offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, and LSU, signaling the level of national interest he had attracted before stepping on a college campus.
Path to American Football
Simpson arrived at Auburn in 2019 and immediately began his development within the Tigers’ defensive backfield. His freshman season gave him an early introduction to the speed and complexity of the Southeastern Conference, where he recorded two tackles, including half a tackle for loss, while learning the team’s defensive schemes.
During the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Simpson continued to earn rotational snaps and produced 14 tackles with one for loss along with three pass breakups. By 2021, he had grown into a more prominent role on the Auburn defense, recording his first career interception in a Week 9 victory over ninth-ranked Ole Miss. That season, he totaled 27 tackles, one tackle for loss, three pass deflections, and one interception, marking his emergence as a dependable playmaker in the secondary.
Simpson’s trajectory accelerated in 2022 when he delivered a career performance in Week 12 against Western Kentucky, breaking up three passes and recording an interception in a 41-17 win. He closed the 2022 campaign with 37 tackles, five pass deflections, and two interceptions, then transitioned from cornerback to safety during the offseason. The position change paid off in 2023, when he opened the season against UMass with three tackles, a fumble recovery, and a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown. His senior-year performance earned him First-team All-SEC recognition at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Jaylin Simpson Career
Early Career (2019–2023)
Jaylin Simpson’s early career was defined by steady growth at Auburn, where he progressed from a rotational freshman into one of the conference’s most respected defensive backs. Across his five college seasons, he contributed as both a cornerback and, later, a safety, refining his coverage skills and instincts against the pass.
By his senior season, Simpson had established himself as a leader in the Auburn secondary. His 2023 campaign, highlighted by a multi-impact opening game against UMass and consistent production throughout the year, culminated in First-team All-SEC honors and positioned him as a legitimate NFL prospect entering the 2024 draft cycle.
NFL Breakthrough with the Indianapolis Colts (2024)
The Indianapolis Colts selected Jaylin Simpson in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 164th overall pick. Following the draft, Indianapolis announced that Simpson would shift from safety back to cornerback, a move that reflected the organization’s long-term vision for his skill set.
Simpson’s initial stay with the Colts was short. He was waived on August 27, 2024, as part of final roster cuts and was quickly re-signed to the team’s practice squad, allowing him to continue developing within the Indianapolis system.
New York Jets Tenure (2024–2025)
On December 11, 2024, Simpson was signed by the New York Jets off the Indianapolis Colts practice squad, giving him his first opportunity on an active NFL roster late in the season. The move represented a significant milestone in his professional journey.
Simpson’s time with the Jets was brief. On August 2, 2025, he was waived by New York, ending his short stint with the franchise and opening the door for his next opportunity.
Green Bay Packers Era (2025–Present)
On August 18, 2025, Simpson signed with the Green Bay Packers, joining a defensive backfield looking to add depth. He was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts but was signed to the Green Bay practice squad the following day, preserving his role within the organization.
His persistence with the Packers paid off when he was elevated to the active roster for Week 13 of the 2025 season. The promotion reflected the team’s confidence in his practice-field performance and his readiness to contribute on defense and in special teams.
Driving Style and Strengths
Simpson is recognized for his versatility across the secondary, having played cornerback, safety, and two-way roles at Frederica Academy before settling at safety with Auburn. His college production, which included 13 interceptions at the high school level and consistent coverage contributions in the SEC, reflects strong ball skills, tackling fundamentals, and the football intelligence required to read opposing quarterbacks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Simpson’s most celebrated collegiate moment came in Week 1 of the 2023 season against UMass, when he returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown to help Auburn dominate 59-14. His first career interception in 2021 against Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral and his First-team All-SEC selection at the conclusion of the 2023 season stand as defining milestones of his path to the NFL.
Jaylin Simpson Career Wins
While individual win totals are not consistently tracked for defensive backs in the same manner as for quarterbacks or skill-position players, Simpson’s professional résumé features several notable achievements. His college résumé includes a First-team All-SEC selection in 2023, multiple multi-interception performances at Auburn, and a fifth-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
College Highlights
Simpson’s most productive college season came in 2023, when he earned First-team All-SEC honors after delivering consistent production from the safety position. Earlier highlights included a two-interception 2022 campaign and a freshman-year debut that began his climb up the Auburn depth chart.
Other Wins & Performances
At Frederica Academy, Simpson was a two-way star, throwing for 27 touchdowns and rushing for 17 more while posting 13 interceptions and four defensive touchdowns. His high school production foreshadowed the playmaking ability he would later refine at Auburn and carry into the professional ranks.
Jaylin Simpson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jaylin Simpson was raised in Brunswick, Georgia, and attended Frederica Academy on nearby Saint Simons Island, where he built the foundation of his football career. Specific details about his parents and immediate family are not widely documented in public sources.
Personal Life
Simpson is focused on his professional football career and continues to develop within the Green Bay Packers organization. Publicly available information about his personal relationships and family life remains limited.
2025 Season Performance
Jaylin Simpson’s 2025 season has been defined by movement and persistence as he has navigated three NFL franchises within a single calendar year. After being waived by the New York Jets in early August, he signed with the Green Bay Packers and quickly returned to the practice squad following final roster cuts.
His elevation to the Packers’ active roster for Week 13 represents the most significant development of his 2025 campaign, offering him an opportunity to contribute on special teams and within the defensive rotation. Simpson’s path from fifth-round draft pick to active-roster contributor underscores the patience and preparation required to establish himself in the league.
Looking ahead, Simpson’s role with the Packers will depend on his continued development at safety and his ability to translate practice-field performance into in-game production. With the franchise investing in his growth, he remains a player to watch as Green Bay builds depth in its secondary.