Countdown to Kickoff: Torricelli Simpkins III is the Saints Player of Day 68
The first day of July means that 68 days separate us from the first game of the 2025 season for the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans will begin their year at home against the Arizona Cardinals, kicking off their 59th NFL season. They'll do it with a new head coach in Kellen Moore, along with several new players and coaches who hope to improve the team's 5-12 finish from 2024.
One new face in training camp this year is offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins III. An undrafted rookie out of South Carolina, Simpkins is currently wearing number 68 as the Saints head towards training camp later this month. If he makes the team and keeps this number, he'll become the 18th player in New Orleans history to wear that number during the regular season. Our Saints Player of the Day, it's time to take a look at Simpkins' background and what brought him to the Saints.
From Olympic High School in North Carolina, Simpkins' initial college choice was North Carolina Central, an HBCU in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Eagles canceled Simpkins' freshman year of 2020 because of Covid. He'd go on to start all of next 35 games at North Carolina Central over the next three years, earning 1st Team All-MEAC honors twice. In 2023, Simpkins was voted an HBCU All-American and the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year. He'd transfer to South Carolina at that year's conclusion. Moving from center to right guard, Simpkins, started every contest for the Gamecocks last season and would earn third-team All-SEC recognition.
Torricelli Simpkins brings some versatility to his attempt at making the roster. While predominantly a center in college, Simpkins also has experience at both guard spots. His best attribute is his power, where he often dominated as a run blocker. He shows decent agility in pass protection with the ability to adjust to opposing rushers and picks up double-team responsibilities pretty seamlessly.
The Saints had a major need at offensive line coming into the offseason. Their particular weakness was a lack of quality depth. This was exposed in a major way after injuries to center Erik McCoy and since-departed guard Lucas Patrick. Kellen Moore and his new staff are expected to emphasize the running game and a power philosophy up front. Both are the strengths of Simpkins, making him a dark horse candidate to grab a roster spot.
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