With football season in jeopardy, why Hopewell quarterback is transferring out of CMS
BY AUGUSTA STONE
JUNE 22, 2020 10:36 AM
The coronavirus pandemic canceled spring practice and summer camps. Offseason workouts have continued to be pushed back by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, which is now setting July 6 as the restart date. Simpkins, a rising senior with one season left to grab the attention of recruiters, said he’s heard of a chance there may not be any football season this fall.
Simpkins, who in his junior season at Hopewell completed 49% of his passes for 2,015 yards and 13 touchdowns with 11 interceptions, announced in a tweet this week that he was transferring to Christ School, a private boarding school near Asheville, and reclassifying to the class of 2022.
Reclassifying could become more common as high schools decide on what sports will look like during the pandemic. In North Carolina, high school athletes can reclassify — or repeat a grade level — from public schools to private schools that aren’t under the NCHSAA umbrella.
Simpkins, who consulted with Christ School assistant coach Heath Shuler and QB Country Charlotte coach Anthony Boone, said securing an extra year of high school eligibility with the uncertainty around football this year was a major factor in his choice to transfer and reclassify.
“It was a little bit of hearing people say ‘hey, this might not happen,’” Simpkins said. “It was a little bit of how everything going on hasn’t really been getting much better.”
Hopewell head football coach Jamelle Byrd said he supported his former quarterback’s decision to reclassify given the lost opportunity for in-person evaluations this summer and the uncertainty of a football season being held in the fall as normal.
“I fully support them in whatever they want to do,” Byrd said. “I have a young son myself. If I’m in the same situation 17 years from now, I’m not his coach, and I have to make that kind of decision, I don’t want to be a hypocrite.”
Simpkins said he’s continued to work out regularly despite the pandemic and posts his workout videos on Twitter for coaches. He said his goal is to be recruited by a Power 5 program.
Simpkins said he expects to begin workouts with his new team at Christ School in late July, while Byrd is hoping to begin practice on July 6 at Hopewell.
BY AUGUSTA STONE
JUNE 22, 2020 10:36 AM
The coronavirus pandemic canceled spring practice and summer camps. Offseason workouts have continued to be pushed back by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, which is now setting July 6 as the restart date. Simpkins, a rising senior with one season left to grab the attention of recruiters, said he’s heard of a chance there may not be any football season this fall.
Simpkins, who in his junior season at Hopewell completed 49% of his passes for 2,015 yards and 13 touchdowns with 11 interceptions, announced in a tweet this week that he was transferring to Christ School, a private boarding school near Asheville, and reclassifying to the class of 2022.
Reclassifying could become more common as high schools decide on what sports will look like during the pandemic. In North Carolina, high school athletes can reclassify — or repeat a grade level — from public schools to private schools that aren’t under the NCHSAA umbrella.
Simpkins, who consulted with Christ School assistant coach Heath Shuler and QB Country Charlotte coach Anthony Boone, said securing an extra year of high school eligibility with the uncertainty around football this year was a major factor in his choice to transfer and reclassify.
“It was a little bit of hearing people say ‘hey, this might not happen,’” Simpkins said. “It was a little bit of how everything going on hasn’t really been getting much better.”
Hopewell head football coach Jamelle Byrd said he supported his former quarterback’s decision to reclassify given the lost opportunity for in-person evaluations this summer and the uncertainty of a football season being held in the fall as normal.
“I fully support them in whatever they want to do,” Byrd said. “I have a young son myself. If I’m in the same situation 17 years from now, I’m not his coach, and I have to make that kind of decision, I don’t want to be a hypocrite.”
Simpkins said he’s continued to work out regularly despite the pandemic and posts his workout videos on Twitter for coaches. He said his goal is to be recruited by a Power 5 program.
Simpkins said he expects to begin workouts with his new team at Christ School in late July, while Byrd is hoping to begin practice on July 6 at Hopewell.
