Towson graduate transfer all-purpose back Shane Simpson signed with the University of Virginia on Monday (August 3) and plans to move to Charlottesville this weekend. The 2018 FCS All-American First-Team all-purpose performer is eager to begin the next chapter of his football career.

Though coronavirus concerns have put into question whether a fall season will even take place, Simpson chooses to be positive.

“I’m an optimistic guy,” he said. “I’ll say we are going to have a season. I know we’re going to play this fall.”

Shane Simpson ~ Photo credit: Towson Athletics

If a season does indeed come to fruition, Simpson believes he has a great opportunity to be an impact player for the Hoos, who return starter Wayne Taulapapa, promising young player Mike Hollins, and may have the services of transfer Ronnie Walker Jr. at the running back position in 2020.

“[The Virginia coaches] said they saw my film and love my versatility, what I bring to the game and to their offense,” said Simpson, who tallied 2,058 all-purpose yards and 12 total touchdowns as a redshirt junior in 2018. “They said they not only wanted me, but they needed me due to the fact that Joe Reed is going to the NFL and the kick return spot is open. His kickoff return average was amazing. I think it shows they take pride in special teams, which I love. They are also a little light at the running back position. They said they can use me not only at running back but they can also use me in motion at the slot.”

Simpson, who teamed with former Virginia star Olamide Zaccheaus in 7-on-7 competitions during their high school days, could be utilized by Offensive Coordinator Robert Anae in an H-Back role. Zaccheaus excelled in that role at Virginia, establishing single season reception records in 2017 (85 receptions) and 2018 (93).

Asked if he felt he would be more of a receiver like Zaccheaus or be used in more of a balanced manner the way Taquan “Smoke” Mizzell was in 2016, when Mizzell rushed for 940 yards and hauled in a team-best 52 receptions, Simpson answered: “I think more balanced. For me, any way I can help the team, any way I could fit in on the offense, that’s what I will do.”

The 5’11”, 195-pound Simpson’s quickness, speed and versatility are evident. His determination and mental toughness match the culture Bronco Mendenhall has implemented as well.

After an impressive high school career at Easton Area High School in Pennsylvania, Simpson has persevered through injuries throughout his college career. He played in four games as a true freshman before being sidelined for the rest of the season with an injury. Simpson missed most of 2017 because of injury, and his 2019 campaign ended three games in when he suffered a torn ACL and torn MCL.

“With the different adversity I’ve been through in college – I allowed an injury early in my career to change me as a person, and I never wanted to do that again,” Simpson said. “From what I heard with this latest injury is it’s more mental than anything. I literally remember the day it happened. I was crying when I was told my season was done. My dad was crying because his son was hurt. I said, ‘God’s got me. I’ll be back.’ My dad looked at me strange (laughs).

“The doctors gave me 10 months to a year of recovery for my injury,” Simpson continued. “I wanted to be faster with everything than they were telling me and that’s what happened. I was out of my brace in a month. I was lightly cutting around two-and-a-half to three months. On my GPS catapult, I ran 20 miles-per-hour around four or five months. I felt really good. The only thing I was missing was strength, and that’s when the coronavirus hit. I couldn’t get in a gym, so I squatted my couch and did leg presses with my couch. Finally, my trainer up in Pennsylvania got approved to keep his spot open. I was in there from the end of March to the end of June. I felt 100-percent around eight-and-a-half months. I told the doctors what I was doing and how I felt and they thought I was crazy. I got cleared around 10 months.”

A two-time captain, Simpson wanted to stay at Towson for a sixth year, which was granted to him this offseason. However, he decided to enter the transfer portal soon after the Colonial Athletic Association announced it was canceling conference athletic competition this fall due to the coronavirus.

Friends told Simpson the transfer process would get chaotic quickly. They were right. Virginia, Western Kentucky, Georgia State, Penn State and Pitt were among the schools in touch with the dynamic Simpson on Thursday (July 30), the day he announced he was in the portal. Duke, Texas and Wake Forest were among the schools in contact the next day.

Simpson announced his commitment to UVA over Texas at 6 p.m. on August 2, but the decision was close. How close?

“It was coming close to 6. I was praying ... I’m a faithful guy,” Simpson began. “I said, ‘God, please send me a sign.’ I wrote down Texas three times, UVA three times, and crumbled them up and put them in a hat. Whichever school I picked three times first is the one I was going with. It was a sign I picked UVA all three times. Either school would have been great.”

Simpson hasn’t looked back since literally picking the Hoos out of a hat, saying he “can’t wait to be with my new family.”

“They seem like great guys. Real genuine,” Simpson noted of Bronco Mendenhall and Mark Atuaia. “I can tell they are high-energy guys and I love that. I know the competition is great. It’s a great school, great football, and they play in a great conference in the ACC.”

More With Shane Simpson

Why did you decide to commit when you did? With the decision being a tough one, did you think of waiting?

“With camp approaching I didn’t want to be too late,” Simpson said. “I feel like I didn’t rush it.”

How hard was it to leave Towson?

“It was definitely hard, moreso because I’m a big loyalty guy and I was looking forward to finishing with my brothers,” Simpson said. “It definitely hurt, but God closed one door and another one opened.”

If fall football does not happen, do you think you would just focus on preparing for a professional career or would you consider returning if were able to?

“I think I would definitely lean more towards training for the league unless UVA plays in the spring and they move the Draft back,” Simpson said.

When your time does come to try and play professionally, what do you think your chances are of making it in the NFL? How much do you think the versatility you have helps you?

“I love my chances,” Simpson said. “I always bet on myself. I’ve always tried to make myself more versatile, to make myself more marketable.”

Who were some of your favorite football players growing up? Any players you tried to model your game after?

“LaDainian Tomlinson,” Simpson said. “I definitely was him for Halloween one year (laughs). I take bits and pieces from a lot of players and try to improve. LaDainian Tomlinson, Tiki Barber, Curtis Martin, Christian McCaffery. LeSean McCoy.”

Virginia Connections

Simpson knows some past and present Hoos, including ...

Zaccheaus

”Olamide is my boy. We played on the same 7-on-7 team back in high school. We’ve kept in contact,” said Simpson, who adds that Zaccheaus did congratulate him on his decision to transfer to UVA.

Arlen Harris

“He’s a PA guy,” Simpson said. “I went to his camp and was MVP at his camp. We always kept in contact, and he has been a big help. I asked him questions about running back stuff. He reached out to me to say congratulations and stuff like that.”

De’Vante Cross

Current Cavalier De’Vante Cross knows Simpson from their high school days. Simpson says their schools are rivals, so they competed against each other in high school, but they are happy to be on the same side this season.