Clemson offensive lineman John Simpson
Q. Travis [Etienne] doesn’t seem to get as much attention as he deserves. Being one of the guys who blocks for him, how much do you appreciate what he does this year?
JOHN SIMPSON: I appreciate what he does a lot. He’s kind of like us, this star-studded offensive guy. We don’t really get that much recognition, but we’re here and we’re doing really good.
Q. How have you seen him —
JOHN SIMPSON: He’s gotten faster. He’s gotten more physical. He knows that he’s a good player. When you have confidence, you just play better. I think that’s what it is.
Q. What do you think of the Ohio State defense?
JOHN SIMPSON: I think Ohio State’s defense is very good. Those guys, they’re very talented everywhere. They’re not no slouches. They don’t have slouches anywhere in that defense. I think they’re really good.
Q. How does a player like Chase Young kind of — how is he different than the players you’ve prepared for all year?
JOHN SIMPSON: Chase Young — I’m not going against him, but, like (laughing) —
Q. For your line in general.
JOHN SIMPSON: We’re just practicing our game plan, getting ready to play him. He’s a physical guy. He’s a really good — he has a really good get-off, and just practicing against our scout team and trying to get a little bit better.
Q. What’s your thoughts of the whole defensive line?
JOHN SIMPSON: They’re really good, they’re really talented. I feel a like a lot of them are overlooked because of Chase Young. They’re talented throughout the whole line. They’ve got some playmakers.
Q. You’ve got one or two games left in your career at max. How much motivation is that for you to leave it all out on the field for one or two games?
JOHN SIMPSON: It means the world to me to play at Clemson. It was a great opportunity. I’m going to take advantage of it. I’m going to play my heart out every snap. Do what I’ve got to do, you know?
Q. Have you thought about what the future is going to hold for you beyond these one or two games?
JOHN SIMPSON: I haven’t really thought too much about it. I’m trying to focus on the task at hand, and that’s playing this game. Like I said, these are my brothers. I don’t want to let them down. I don’t focus on the future. I just try to focus on one day at a time. Like today, we have open Tuesday. Takeaways, no giveaways. (laughing). We’re just going to play our game and practice and prepare and get ready.
Q. Is this a great opportunity for you to showcase how good you are?
JOHN SIMPSON: Oh, absolutely. Playing against these really good defensive linemen, having the opportunity. I can showcase my talent. I think it is a really good opportunity.
Q. There was a lot of talk earlier in the year about Trevor’s [Lawrence] intentions.
JOHN SIMPSON: I think he’s had a really good year. He’s tough. He’s a really good player. A lot of people don’t see that. It is football. People make mistakes. But obviously he’s got over it. He’s not worried about that no more, so we’re just going to play our game and do what we’ve got to do.
Q. You’ve had a great career at Clemson. Is it everything — is Clemson everything you thought it would be when you came here?
JOHN SIMPSON: Absolutely. I knew it was going to be tough to play at a high level. That’s what I wanted. I want to play on a team that is the best ever. I did. I’m still on a team that’s competing to be the best ever. It is a blessing to be here.