John Simpson Bio
John Simpson (born August 19, 1997) is an American professional football offensive guard for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers before entering the professional ranks in 2020. Standing 193 centimeters tall, Simpson has built his career on physical play along the interior offensive line.
Originally selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2020 NFL Draft, Simpson has also spent time with the Baltimore Ravens before joining the Jets in March 2024. He is widely recognized as one of the top collegiate offensive guards of his draft class.
Early Life and Background
John Simpson was born on August 19, 1997, in Charleston, South Carolina. He grew up in the Dorchester-Waylyn neighborhood of North Charleston, South Carolina, where he and his younger brother were raised in a single-parent household by his mother. Those early years in the Lowcountry helped shape his work ethic and toughness, traits that would later define his approach to football.
Simpson attended Fort Dorchester High School, where he developed into a four-star recruit. His combination of size and athleticism drew attention from several major college football programs, and he ultimately chose to commit to Clemson over scholarship offers from Florida, LSU, South Carolina, and Alabama.
Path to American Football
Simpson’s path to professional football began with his commitment to Clemson, where he joined one of the most respected programs in college football. He played in nine games as a true freshman on Clemson’s 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship team, logging 160 total snaps despite missing time with a foot injury. That early exposure to championship-level competition provided a foundation for his development.
During his sophomore season, Simpson appeared in 12 games and played 300 snaps as a key reserve on the Tigers’ offensive line. Going into his junior year, the Clemson coaching staff named him the starting left guard, a promotion that signaled his growing importance to the program and prepared him for the demands of professional football.
John Simpson Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Simpson’s college career reached its peak during the 2019 season, when he started all 15 games for the Tigers and played a total of 858 snaps. He helped Clemson win the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship and earned third-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) honors along with second-team recognition from the Associated Press. His steady play at left guard made him a cornerstone of the Tigers’ offensive line.
That same year, head coach Dabo Swinney chose Simpson to represent Clemson at the ACC’s 2019 media day. He gained national coverage by wearing a blonde wig to imitate the team’s starting quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, whom most members of the media had expected to be Clemson’s player representative. Simpson entered the season as a preseason first-team All-ACC selection and an Outland Trophy watchlist member, and he was listed as the second-best offensive guard prospect for the 2020 NFL Draft by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper. He finished the year as the only offensive guard to be named a consensus first-team All-American for the 2019 season.
Las Vegas Raiders Breakthrough (2020–2022)
John Simpson was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fourth round, 109th overall, of the 2020 NFL Draft. He made his NFL debut on Monday Night Football against the New Orleans Saints on September 21, 2020, entering the game at left guard in the second quarter to replace starter Richie Incognito after Incognito suffered an injury, and he played the remainder of the game. The performance offered an early look at his readiness for professional play.
Simpson made his first career start the following week on September 27, 2020, against the New England Patriots. He went on to spend three seasons with the Raiders, developing into a regular contributor along the interior offensive line. On December 10, 2022, however, Simpson was waived by the team, opening the door for the next chapter of his career.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2022–2023)
Shortly after being waived by the Raiders, John Simpson was signed to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad on December 19, 2022. The move gave him an opportunity to refine his technique and contribute within one of the league’s most respected offensive systems.
On January 16, 2023, Simpson signed a reserve/future contract with the Ravens, securing his place on the team’s roster heading into the next league year. His time in Baltimore allowed him to continue developing his craft before reaching free agency.
New York Jets Era (2024–Present)
On March 14, 2024, John Simpson signed a two-year contract with the New York Jets, marking a fresh start with a new franchise. The Jets valued his combination of experience, size, and championship pedigree from his Clemson days, and he slotted in as a contributor along the offensive line.
Simpson’s role with the Jets gave him a chance to anchor the interior line and provide veteran stability. His contract, which runs through the 2025 season, reflects the organization’s confidence in his abilities and his potential impact on the team’s offensive performance.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Simpson’s most memorable career moments is his surprise appearance at the 2019 ACC media day, where his Trevor Lawrence impersonation went viral and showcased his personality. He also earned consensus first-team All-American honors that same year, becoming the only offensive guard to receive that distinction for the 2019 season.
John Simpson Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
John Simpson was raised in a single-parent household by his mother, alongside his younger brother, in the Dorchester-Waylyn neighborhood of North Charleston, South Carolina. That family foundation played an important role in his development, instilling the discipline and resilience that carried him through high school, college, and into the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
As John Simpson enters the 2025 NFL season, he remains under contract with the New York Jets as part of the two-year deal he signed in March 2024. His experience as a starter and his championship pedigree from Clemson are expected to remain valuable assets for the team’s offensive line rotation.
The 2025 campaign represents an opportunity for Simpson to solidify his role as a steady interior presence for the Jets. With the final year of his current contract on the horizon, his performance this season could shape discussions about his long-term future in the league.