Jeff Sims
{{Short description|American football player (born 2002)}}
{{For|the coach|Jeff Sims (American football coach)}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox college football player
|name=Jeff Sims
|school=Arizona State Sun Devils
|currentposition=Quarterback
|highschool=Sandalwood High School (Jacksonville, Florida)
|weight_lb=220
|heightft=6
|heightin=4
|espn=4429066
|currentnumber=2
|class=File:Redshirt.svg Senior
|birth_date={{birth date and age|2002|1|1}}
|birth_place=Orlando, Florida, U.S.
|major=Business Administration
|pastschools=
- Georgia Tech (2020–2022)
- Nebraska (2023)
- Arizona State (2024–present)
}}
Jeff Sims (born January 1, 2002) is an American football quarterback for the Arizona State Sun Devils. He formerly played for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Early life
Sims played high school football for Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville, Florida from 2016 to 2020. He served as the team's starting quarterback starting in his sophomore year. While initially hoping to play college football for the Miami Hurricanes, the team showed no interest in him, and he instead was drawn towards the Florida State Seminoles under then-head coach Willie Taggart.{{Cite web|last=Myerberg|first=Paul|date=July 8, 2019|title=Jeff Sims aims big future at Florida State as critical recruit for Seminoles|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/acc/2019/07/08/florida-state-recruit-jeff-sims-most-critical-commitment/1672084001/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107232841/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/acc/2019/07/08/florida-state-recruit-jeff-sims-most-critical-commitment/1672084001/|archive-date=November 7, 2020|access-date=September 13, 2020|website=USA Today|publisher=Gannett|language=en-US}} In February 2019, he committed to Florida State, with the prospect of being a backup quarterback to James Blackman. Later that year, he competed in the Elite 11 quarterback competition.{{Cite web|last=Freeman|first=Clayton|date=December 11, 2019|title=Sandalwood QB Jeff Sims de-commits from Florida State|url=https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20191211/sandalwood-qb-jeff-sims-de-commits-from-florida-state|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130043703/https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20191211/sandalwood-qb-jeff-sims-de-commits-from-florida-state|archive-date=November 30, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|website=The Florida Times-Union|publisher=Gannett|language=en}} On December 11,{{Cite web|last=Nivison|first=Austin|date=September 12, 2020|title=LOOK: Elite 11 trolls Mike Norvell, Florida State|url=https://247sports.com/Article/Elite-11-trolls-Mike-Norvell-Florida-State-Jeff-Sims-Georgia-Tech-151407690/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410042026/https://247sports.com/Article/Elite-11-trolls-Mike-Norvell-Florida-State-Jeff-Sims-Georgia-Tech-151407690/|archive-date=April 10, 2021|access-date=September 14, 2020|website=247Sports.com|publisher=CBS Interactive|language=en-US}} following Florida State's firing of Taggart and hiring of Mike Norvell as new head coach, he rescinded his commitment to Florida State,{{Cite web|last=Sugiura|first=Ken|date=September 11, 2020|title=Jeff Sims to start at quarterback for Georgia Tech|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/jeff-sims-to-start-at-quarterback-for-georgia-tech/NDR2F4TCIRHBLHX4KW6P566RO4/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116091613/https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/jeff-sims-to-start-at-quarterback-for-georgia-tech/NDR2F4TCIRHBLHX4KW6P566RO4/|archive-date=January 16, 2021|access-date=September 13, 2020|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|publisher=Cox Enterprises|language=English}} and on December 18, he signed to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Ultimately, Sims had received over a dozen offers from schools in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, including Florida State, Georgia Tech, and the Maryland Terrapins.{{Cite web|last=Sugiura|first=Ken|date=December 18, 2019|title=4-star quarterback Jeff Sims surprises Georgia Tech on signing day|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/college/star-quarterback-jeff-sims-picks-georgia-tech-signing-day/bAtAtGR6lTMxWvkHoiSBUK/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022214020/https://www.ajc.com/sports/college/star-quarterback-jeff-sims-picks-georgia-tech-signing-day/bAtAtGR6lTMxWvkHoiSBUK/|archive-date=October 22, 2020|access-date=September 13, 2020|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|publisher=Cox Enterprises|language=English}} 247Sports.com ranked him the No. 10 dual-threat quarterback in the country and the No. 223 recruit overall.{{Cite web|last=Weiler|first=Curt|date=September 11, 2020|title=Report: Former FSU commit Jeff Sims to start at quarterback for Georgia Tech vs. Seminoles|url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/college/fsu/football/2020/09/11/jeff-sims-starting-quarterback-report-georgia-tech-gt-florida-state-fsu-football-starting-qb/5773437002/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919150223/https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/college/fsu/football/2020/09/11/jeff-sims-starting-quarterback-report-georgia-tech-gt-florida-state-fsu-football-starting-qb/5773437002/|archive-date=September 19, 2020|access-date=September 13, 2020|website=Tallahassee Democrat|publisher=Gannett|language=en-US}} In January 2020, he played in the Under Armour All-America Game, a high school football all-star game, where he was part of the winning team.{{Cite magazine|last=McGavic|first=Matthew|date=January 2, 2020|title=Jeff Sims Excels In Under Armour All-American Game|url=https://www.si.com/college/georgiatech/football/sims-shines-in-ua-aafg|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410042251/https://www.si.com/college/georgiatech/football/sims-shines-in-ua-aafg|archive-date=April 10, 2021|access-date=September 15, 2020|magazine=Sports Illustrated}}
Sims's uncle, Mike Sims-Walker, is a former football player who played in the National Football League for the Jacksonville Jaguars.{{Cite web|last=Reed|first=Tashan|date=June 7, 2019|title='He can do it all, man': QB Jeff Sims might be Florida State's most important commitment for 2020|url=https://theathletic.com/1014625/2019/06/07/jeff-sims-florida-state-2020-commitment/|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410042400/https://theathletic.com/1014625/2019/06/07/jeff-sims-florida-state-2020-commitment/|archive-date=April 10, 2021|access-date=September 15, 2020|website=The Athletic}}
College career
= Georgia Tech =
Following the team's 2019 season, quarterback Tobias Oliver was moved to cornerback, leaving that position empty, with Sims, Tucker Gleason, James Graham, and Jordan Yates vying for the position during the offseason.{{Cite web|last=Sugiura|first=Ken|date=August 7, 2020|title=Quarterback derby cranks up at Georgia Tech|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/quarterback-derby-cranks-up-at-georgia-tech/YP5OV6UN7VGCBGBBGVW2KXQQMU/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022105720/https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/quarterback-derby-cranks-up-at-georgia-tech/YP5OV6UN7VGCBGBBGVW2KXQQMU/|archive-date=October 22, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|publisher=Cox Enterprises|language=English}} Graham and Sims were considered the strongest candidates for the position, though the team refused to comment prior to the start of the season.{{Cite web|last=Henry|first=George|date=September 9, 2020|title=Georgia Tech mum on name of Yellow Jackets' starting QB|url=https://apnews.com/5080027ea61ac2320320e2d2f74a36c6|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410042522/https://apnews.com/article/georgia-jordan-yates-football-florida-james-graham-5080027ea61ac2320320e2d2f74a36c6|archive-date=April 10, 2021|access-date=September 14, 2020|website=AP News|publisher=Associated Press}} On September 11, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution announced that Sims would be the team's starting quarterback. He made his collegiate start on September 12, leading the Yellow Jackets to a 16–13 upset victory against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium.{{Cite web|last=Cunningham|first=Michael|date=September 12, 2020|title=Georgia Tech upsets FSU with dynamic freshman QB Jeff Sims|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/mike-check-blog/georgia-tech-finds-its-qb-with-dynamic-freshman-sims/FMQZDDZCINHRRFQNV6N3Z5YA2U/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123053522/https://www.ajc.com/sports/mike-check-blog/georgia-tech-finds-its-qb-with-dynamic-freshman-sims/FMQZDDZCINHRRFQNV6N3Z5YA2U/|archive-date=January 23, 2021|access-date=September 13, 2020|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|publisher=Cox Enterprises|language=English}} Sims completed 24 of 35 passes for 277 passing yards and accumulated 64 rushing yards.{{Cite web|last=Sallee|first=Barrett|date=September 12, 2020|title=Florida State vs. Georgia Tech score, takeaways: Yellow Jackets rally as Noles drop fourth straight opener|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/florida-state-vs-georgia-tech-score-takeaways-yellow-jackets-rally-as-noles-drop-fourth-straight-opener/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117101002/https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/florida-state-vs-georgia-tech-score-takeaways-yellow-jackets-rally-as-noles-drop-fourth-straight-opener/|archive-date=January 17, 2021|access-date=September 13, 2020|website=CBSSports.com|publisher=CBS Interactive|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Ferrante|first=Bob|date=September 12, 2020|title=Georgia Tech edges Florida State 16-13|url=https://apnews.com/adc02d76a2878177a6b7361c48263046|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410042738/https://apnews.com/article/georgia-marvin-wilson-jeff-sims-football-florida-adc02d76a2878177a6b7361c48263046|archive-date=April 10, 2021|access-date=September 13, 2020|website=AP News|publisher=Associated Press}} With the game, Sims became the first true freshman quarterback to play in a season opener for the Yellow Jackets since Reggie Ball in 2003 and the first to win a season opener.{{Cite web|last=Shirley|first=Daniel|date=September 13, 2020|title=Tech Takeaways: Jeff Sims, Yellow Jackets open 2020 season in style|url=https://theathletic.com/2062089/2020/09/13/tech-takeaways-jeff-sims-yellow-jackets-open-2020-season-in-style/|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410042822/https://theathletic.com/2062089/2020/09/13/tech-takeaways-jeff-sims-yellow-jackets-open-2020-season-in-style/|archive-date=April 10, 2021|access-date=September 13, 2020|website=The Athletic}} For his performance, Sims was named Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) rookie of the week and 247Sports.com's true freshman of the week,{{Cite web|last=Sugiura|first=Ken|date=September 14, 2020|title=Georgia Tech's Jeff Sims, Curtis Ryans named ACC players of week|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/jeff-sims-curtis-ryans-as-acc-players-of-week-for-georgia-tech/QJBD7L674BDGFOTVIZBFISOFXA/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030182943/https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/jeff-sims-curtis-ryans-as-acc-players-of-week-for-georgia-tech/QJBD7L674BDGFOTVIZBFISOFXA/|archive-date=October 30, 2020|access-date=September 16, 2020|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|publisher=Cox Enterprises|language=English}}{{Cite web|last=Hummer|first=Chris|date=September 13, 2020|title=Georgia Tech's Jeff Sims is 247Sports' True Freshman of the Week|url=https://247sports.com/Article/Georgia-Tech-quarterback-Jeff-Simms-true-freshman-of-the-week-Florida-State-commit-151431478/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913175257/https://247sports.com/Article/Georgia-Tech-quarterback-Jeff-Simms-true-freshman-of-the-week-Florida-State-commit-151431478/|archive-date=September 13, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|website=247Sports.com|publisher=CBS Interactive|language=en-US}} and was recognized in weekly lists put out by the Davey O'Brien Award and the Manning Award.{{Cite web|date=September 15, 2020|title=CCU's McCall one of eight finalists for 'Manning Award Quarterback of the Week'|url=https://www.wmbfnews.com/2020/09/15/ccus-mccall-one-eight-finalists-manning-award-quarterback-week/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205001034/https://www.wmbfnews.com/2020/09/15/ccus-mccall-one-eight-finalists-manning-award-quarterback-week/|archive-date=December 5, 2020|access-date=September 16, 2020|website=WMBF-TV|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=September 14, 2020|title=CCU QB Grayson McCall named to Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award's Great 8 List|url=https://www.wmbfnews.com/2020/09/14/ccu-qb-grayson-mccall-named-davey-obrien-national-quarterback-awards-great-list/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204235634/https://www.wmbfnews.com/2020/09/14/ccu-qb-grayson-mccall-named-davey-obrien-national-quarterback-awards-great-list/|archive-date=December 4, 2020|access-date=September 16, 2020|website=WMBF-TV|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=September 17, 2020|title=Sims named Manning Award Quarterback of the Week|url=https://www.griffindailynews.com/sports/sims-named-manning-award-quarterback-of-the-week/article_4b596b0c-f917-11ea-9ae7-e38c9dd550f3.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410043317/https://www.griffindailynews.com/sports/sims-named-manning-award-quarterback-of-the-week/article_4b596b0c-f917-11ea-9ae7-e38c9dd550f3.html|archive-date=April 10, 2021|access-date=September 20, 2020|website=The Griffin Daily News|publisher=Paxton Media Group|language=en}} Following this debut, the Yellow Jackets suffered two defeats, losing 49–21 to the UCF Knights and 37–20 to the Syracuse Orange.{{Cite web|last=Bianchi|first=Mike|date=September 19, 2020|title=UCF makes statement to playoff committee with rout of Georgia Tech {{!}} Commentary|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/mike-bianchi-commentary/os-sp-ucf-football-georgia-tech-mike-bianchi-20200920-uvmwcsbou5hjtjq446qcvtbege-story.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026105052/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/mike-bianchi-commentary/os-sp-ucf-football-georgia-tech-mike-bianchi-20200920-uvmwcsbou5hjtjq446qcvtbege-story.html|archive-date=October 26, 2020|access-date=September 28, 2020|website=Orlando Sentinel|publisher=Tribune Publishing}}{{Cite web|last=Sugiura|first=Ken|date=September 27, 2020|title=5 takeaways from Georgia Tech's loss to Syracuse|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/5-takeaways-from-georgia-techs-loss-to-syracuse/T5WIX3BJIVELRHK6EDTPI376JQ/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101001722/https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/5-takeaways-from-georgia-techs-loss-to-syracuse/T5WIX3BJIVELRHK6EDTPI376JQ/|archive-date=November 1, 2020|access-date=September 28, 2020|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|publisher=Cox Enterprises|language=English}} In the latter game, Sims threw four interceptions.{{Cite magazine|last=Payne|first=Jacob|date=September 27, 2020|title=Five Takeaways Cruises 'Cuse Past Georgia Tech|url=https://www.si.com/college/syracuse/football/syracuse-defense-shines-georgia-tech|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023055423/https://www.si.com/college/syracuse/football/syracuse-defense-shines-georgia-tech|archive-date=October 23, 2020|access-date=September 28, 2020|magazine=Sports Illustrated|language=en}}
Sims showed some improvement in his sophomore campaign, throwing for 1,468 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions - along with 372 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns in 5 starts. However, he shared the role of starting quarterback with freshman Jordan Yates, as the Yellow Jackets finished with a 3-9 record and once again missed out on bowl eligibility.{{Cite web |title=2021 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/georgia-tech/2021-schedule.html |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}} On November 27, 2022, Sims announced his decision to enter the transfer portal.{{cite tweet |last=Sims |first=Jeff |author-link=Jeff Sims |user=JeffSims_10 |number=1596986838727593984 |date=November 27, 2022 |title=https://t.co/oNMzs4FPPO |language=en |access-date=December 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203053728/https://twitter.com/JeffSims_10/status/1596986838727593984 |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |url-status=live}}
=Nebraska=
On December 18, 2022, Sims announced his commitment to Nebraska Cornhuskers.{{cite tweet |last=Sims |first=Jeff |author-link=Jeff Sims |user=JeffSims_10 |number=1604606966642401281 |date=December 18, 2022 |title=GBR🌽 #GiveEmGame https://t.co/NZZcnF7iq7 |language=en |access-date=December 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218233344/https://twitter.com/JeffSims_10/status/1604606966642401281 |archive-date=December 18, 2022 |url-status=live}}
On December 11, 2023, Sims announced that he would be entering the transfer portal for the second time.{{cite web|url=https://www.klkntv.com/nebraska-quarterback-jeff-sims-enters-transfer-portal-report-says/|title=Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims enter transfer portal, report says|website=KLKN-TV|first=Nolan|last=Dorn|date=December 11, 2023|access-date=December 11, 2023}}
= Arizona State =
On May 1, 2024, Sims announced that he would transfer to Arizona State.{{cite web|url=https://cornhuskerswire.usatoday.com/2024/05/01/nebraska-football-quarterback-jeff-sims-transfer-portal-arizona-state/|title=Former Nebraska quarterback commits to Arizona State|website=Cornhuskers Wire|first=Evan|last=Bredeson|date=May 1, 2024|access-date=May 21, 2024}} On August 19, 2024, head coach Kenny Dillingham announced Michigan State transfer Sam Leavitt would be the starting quarterback for opening game of the 2024 season with Sims as his backup.{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/asu/2024/08/19/asus-sam-leavitt-officially-named-starter-for-opener-vs-wyoming/74820668007/|title=Sam Leavitt officially named starter for Arizona State football opener against Wyoming|website=Arizona Republic|first=Michelle|last=Gardner |date=August 19, 2024|access-date=August 20, 2024}}
=Statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Season
! colspan="3"| Games ! colspan="8"| Passing ! colspan="5"| Rushing | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Comp | Att | Pct | Yards | Avg | TD | Int | Rate | Att | Yards | Avg | TD | |
| colspan="16" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets}}" | Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets | |||||||||||||||
| 2020
| 10|| 10 || 3–7 || 141|| 257|| 54.9 || 1,881|| 7.3 || 13|| 13 || 122.9 || 120|| 492|| 4.1 || 6 | |||||||||||||||
| 2021
| 7 || 6 || 2–4 || 113 || 188 || 60.1|| 1,468 || 7.8|| 12 || 7 || 139.3|| 70 || 372 || 5.3|| 4 | |||||||||||||||
| 2022
| 7 || 7 || 3–4|| 110 || 188 || 58.5 || 1,115 || 5.9 || 5 || 3 || 113.9 || 87 || 288 || 3.3 || 1 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="16" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Nebraska Cornhuskers}}" | Nebraska Cornhuskers | |||||||||||||||
| 2023
| 5 || 2 || 0–2 || 28 || 47 || 59.6 || 282 || 6.0 || 1 || 6 || 91.5 || 42 || 189 || 4.5 || 1 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="16" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Arizona State Sun Devils}}" | Arizona State Sun Devils | |||||||||||||||
| 2024
| 4 || 1 || 0–1 || 13 || 25 || 52.0 || 168 || 6.7 || 0 || 0 || 108.4 || 24 || 101 || 4.2 || 1 | |||||||||||||||
| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jeff-sims-1.html Career] | 33 | 26 | 8−18 | 405 | 705 | 57.4 | 4,914 | 7.0 | 31 | 29 | 122.3 | 343 | 1,442 | 4.2 | 13 |
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://thesundevils.com/sports/football/roster/jeff-sims/16702|name=Arizona State Sun Devils bio}}
- {{Official website|https://ramblinwreck.com/roster/jeff-sims/|name=Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets bio}}
- {{Official website|https://huskers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2023/player/jeff-sims|name=Nebraska Cornhuskers bio}}
{{Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback navbox}}
{{Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback navbox}}
{{Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sims, Jeff}}
Category:American football quarterbacks
Category:Sandalwood High School alumni
Category:Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football players
Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers football players
Category:Arizona State Sun Devils football players
Category:Players of American football from Jacksonville, Florida