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Why quarterback Jeff Sims' explosive transfer chose Nebraska

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Jeff Sims spent Monday at his home in Florida. For the first time in a long time, he has a long-term plan.

The former Georgia Tech quarterback has already brought his stuff back from Atlanta in boxes. He lived without baggage for much of his three weeks in the transfer gate, visiting Nebraska and Cincinnati while attracting interest from other interested schools and taking final exams.

Sims completed his biggest test last weekend when he decided his future would include the Huskers. He and his uncle, former NFL wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker, called NU coach Matt Rhule and his team with the news, which the QB announced on Sunday.

“They were fired up,” Sims told the World-Herald on Monday. “They were very excited. They were like, ‘Let’s get this thing going.’ »

The former Jacksonville Sandalwood High School star and son of a Christian minister never would have guessed his next chapter would be in Nebraska. Not after a high school recruit that began with a commitment to Florida State as a 2020 four-star prospect and a late move to Georgia Tech after a coaching change. He had no connection to NU before entering the portal on November 1. 28.

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But he knew Nebraska was top football and wanted to see for himself when the offer came through. A tour of the campus and immaculate facilities confirmed it was a place that cared. When Rhule and offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield followed in Atlanta after his Dec. 9 visit, the three discussed what the next few years have in store for us. The Sims have heard enough to cancel Zoom sessions scheduled with other programs.

“It was the rich tradition of Nebraska,” Sims said. “I made my visit there and it surprised me – it was very pleasant. I like the coaches, I like the atmosphere of the program. It was a good feeling. Just talking to Coach Rhule and Coach Sat, I feel like they have a plan. They are excited about the future and their main goal is to develop players and that will lead to victory. It marked me. »

Sims said the NU offense under Rhule will be pro-style and balanced. His arrival sets up potential competition between starter Casey Thompson – the 24-year-old still has one season of eligibility if he chooses to use it – and Sims, who was a starter for three seasons at Georgia Tech before his move. 21st birthday.

The Sims has two more seasons to play, plus a red shirt available. Despite the injuries that have cost him much of the past two years, he said he would be “ready to go” for spring training. Thompson’s spring status, meanwhile, is unclear after offseason shoulder surgery. NU are currently on course to have six stock QBs on their roster, including Logan Smothers and Chubba Purdy, although future attrition is likely.

Transfer Arkansas quarterback Malik Hornsby also visited Lincoln after the Sims and remains uncommitted.

“Obviously I’m going to go and I have to compete – I should do it anywhere,” Sims said. “So I’m excited to meet the guys and build relationships with them. Compete with them and learn all I can from them and teach them the things I know.

The incoming quarterback is far from a rookie. He threw for 4,464 yards, 30 touchdowns and 23 interceptions during his 25-game college career while rushing 277 times for 1,152 yards and 11 scores. He came out of high school weighing just 195 pounds on his 6ft 4in frame but has since hit a weight of 220 which he wants to maintain.

Highlights of his big arm and explosive speed are all over social media. The next step, he said, is consistency on the pitch. Note the interceptions. Score all games by watching the injured from the touchline.

“I feel like I’ve grown a lot mentally and I’m still working on getting faster and stronger physically,” Sims said. “So I want to work on just the intangibles of a real NFL quarterback to put it all together.”

Recruiting services called him a dual-threat QB. Sims considers himself “a go-first guy who has the tools to run”. The health and structure of the Yellow Jackets attack did not always allow him to show it. The 57.5% career passer is also open to developing influences from Rhule and Co., which has molded similarly skilled quarterbacks in Temple (PJ Walker) and Baylor (Charlie Brewer).

The Sims will be coming to campus next month as a new guy in a new location with a new trainer. He’ll grind under the pressing reality that his dream — an NFL career like his uncle — is on the line.

“My strength as a player is to go out and give it my all, whether it’s running or throwing the ball,” Sims said. “I really feel like I can do anything, so going out there and doing everything I can to put my team in the best position is the goal.”

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