Going into the 2023 football season, Auburn Wire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Tigers’ roster.
Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] in his first season on the Plains.
Up next is veteran defensive back [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag]. After starting his career at corner, the coaching staff moved him to safety last season and he showed the potential to be a difference-maker for the Tigers.
Preseason Player Profile
Hometown: Brunswick, Georgia
Height: 6-1
Weight: 178
Class in 2023: Senior
247Sports Composite Ranking
Four-Star / No. 34 in Georgia / No. 33 CB
Career Stats
| Year | G | Tackles | TFLs | PDs | INTs |
| 2019 | 4 | 2 | .5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2021 | 9 | 27 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| 2022 | 12 | 37 | 0 | 7 | 2 |
PFF Grades
| Year | Defense | Tackling | Run Defense | Pass Rush | Coverage |
| 2019 | 65.1 | 27.5 | 68.7 | – | 60.0 |
| 2020 |
58.6
|
32.2
|
51.4 | 47.7 | 60.9 |
| 2021 | 65.6 | 68.2 | 48.3 | 57.5 | 69.1 |
| 2022 | 71.0 |
73.9
|
76.6 | 59.8 | 68.8 |
Depth Chart Overview
Simpson spent the first four years of his Auburn career playing cornerback but his future is at safety after a late positional change last season. He flashed his ability last season but with a full year of preparation under safeties coach [autotag]Zac Etheridge[/autotag] the sky is the limit for him.
He and [autotag]Zion Puckett[/autotag] have the two starting jobs locked down ahead of several talented but unproven players.