Rising Star: RB Tyler Simpson, Delta Charter (Ferriday, LA)

We are continuing our Rising Star series with the MVP of the tournament winning Team Central, Tyler Simpson. He’s a running back for Delta Charter, where he dominated for their Junior High team this past season. He was the lead back for a Delta Charter team that went 8-0, and he finished with 60 carries and 500 yards on the season. He got hurt during the season, but recovered in time for our bowl game, where he continued his performance. He had 24 carries for 112 yards and 1 TD, as well as 2 2pt conversions.

Those stats are impressive, but even they don’t do justice to how good Tyler looked in the bowl game. Standing at 5’10” 175 lbs, he’s already big enough to contribute at the high school level, which makes him stand out amongst junior high competition. He was just bigger than everybody else, and with his plans to continue to put on muscle, he’s not going to get any easier to tackle. He’s a physical runner that seems to never go down at first contact, and his speed gives him the potential to break away for a big play as well. There’s a lot of room to grow, but Tyler is set to be a difference maker in Louisiana for years to come.

Photo by Billy Metcalf

What got you into football in the first place?

What really got me into football were my dad and my brother. They were both amazing football players, and my brother Jarred Simpson actually went to the Gridiron Bowl in 2019. They both inspired me to work hard and never give up on what I want to accomplish.

What accomplishments are you the most proud of in your young career?

Really just me being consistent with everything I do for this game. Some days I didn’t want to get up and work for it in the summer, but I had to realize that football could take me places I’ve always wanted to go, so that pushes me to reach my goal.

What is the one area you have grown the most in as a player since you started playing?

My vision. I feel like vision as a running back is a very important thing you need. It’s just something you need overall and I think as I have gotten older, it has grown and it is now one of my best abilities in my game.

Your team went undefeated this season. What was the most rewarding part of that experience?

The most rewarding part of that experience was us working out all summer to be the best and our coach pushing us the hardest everyday at practice. So when we did go undefeated, all the work we put in felt like it paid off.

What is your favorite game you have played? What stood out about it and why?

We played Ferriday Jr High in our seventh game this season, and even though I was injured, I was still giving the team first downs and trying my best to be a dangerous player on the field for the opposing team. We won by a touchdown and I was just so happy we won because I gave it all I had.

Photo by Jason Saucier

What kind of injury was it? How did you manage to tough it out and play through it?

It was a hip injury, and it was one of the worst injuries I ever had. In my 5th game against Delhi Charter I was running for a touchdown and I pulled my hip. I instantly fell to the ground in pain and needed help getting off the field. The injury lasted from September until November. Between those months I was going to therapy every week, getting shots so I can play in the last few games. Those shots worked, but after the games it just got worse, but I still played through it. After that last game I just went straight to therapy every week trying to get readon for the bowl game and that’s what pushed me to do all of my exercises and workouts I needed to do. I thank all of my therapists from Core in Vidalia for helping me and putting me on that field as soon as possible.

What are your overall thoughts on the bowl game and winning MVP for the winning team?

I really credit the offensive line for doing their part in helping me winning the MVP. I got to have a relationship with all of them and talk to all of them throughout the entire bowl game weekend. The coaches did a good job coaching – they were moving the offense very well and putting me in positions where i could change the game. When I had the opportunities to show my abilities on the field, I did.

What is a college or NFL player you like to model your game off of?

For college, I’ll have to say Ashton Jeanty, from Boise St. He preaches on not getting tackled by the first guy and I feel like that’s also my mentality. He runs with power and is willing to hit anyone who tries to come at him. In the NFL, I’ll say David Montgomery. He’s also a back that will put a hit on you if you try and arm tackle him instead of trying to break down and make the tackle. He also preaches not getting tackled by the first guy, which really inspires me to run 100% all the time.

What do you want to improve on the most going into high school?

I want to improve on getting bigger. I’m at 190 lbs right now, but I really want to be in the 200 range, but maintain the ability to be fast as well. I also want to improve just everything that’s in my game. I have room for improvement on everything and I’m ready to get back in the lab and start working on it.

What sports do play other than football?

Baseball and track. I love the game of baseball, I’ve been playing it my whole life. I play 1st baseman, pitcher, and outfielder. I’m ready to start track this year.

Photo by Jason Saucier

What teams do you root for when watching sports?

LSU for college football and baseball, the 49ers in the NFL, and the Phillies in MLB because of Bryce Harper.

What are your general goals once you get to high school?

Making the playoffs and leading the team to a State Championship.

What do you want to do once your playing days are over?

I want to inspire kids from where I’m from, inspiring them that you can leave an impact from where you are from and put on for your town and school.

Finally, why should fans keep their eye on you as a rising star?

I’m a unique back that is a dangerous threat to anyone I play. I’m from a small town that gets a lot of criticism on how we don’t have good athletes, so watching me on the field is entertaining from what I here. So, come watch me and you’ll be entertained and shocked by what I can do.

*We are about to begin the 2025 Gridiron Football Season and if you are a player that wants to be a part of the 2025 Gridiron Football Junior High All-American Bowl Game or the 2025 Gridiron Football Senior All-American Bowl Game, you must be at our events to be considered for the game. This will apply especially to Louisiana athletes since we have growing interest from outside the state. We are inviting top performers from our 7v7 tournaments, our elite camps, and finally, our Gridiron Football Media Day. We already have our first 7v7 tournament and two elite camps posted below. To register, you can click any of the pictures below!

Click the image to get your team registered for the Battle on the Bayou 7v7 tournament on February 1st and 2nd!
Click the image to order your Elite Camp tickets for the Lamar Dixon Expo Center Camp on March 8th.
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