Former Nebraska QB Jeff Sims hit the books and waited; is he about to get a shot at Arizona State?

Jeff Sims knew quarterback dominoes would fall when teams finished their spring practices. So instead of rushing into a shotgun marriage with a new school in December for his remaining season* of football eligibility, the former Georgia Tech and Nebraska quarterback decided to wait. Perhaps a better situation might present itself.

Waiting didn’t mean sitting idle, though. Sims became the first in his family to earn a college degree when he graduated from Nebraska in December. After spending his first three years at Georgia Tech, he needed only 21 hours to finish a management degree from one of the nation’s best public universities. So he moved back to Atlanta, paid his own way and grinded through courses such as Financial Management, Foundational Strategy, Marketing Research and Business Ethics.

Now, with that second degree almost in hand, Sims can address those falling dominoes. This week found him suddenly traveling to Tempe, Ariz., where Arizona State finds itself in the market for a QB following last week’s departure of Jaden Rashada. Would Sims have been in the mix for a spot at a Big 12 school in December after a season at Nebraska that went off the rails early? Probably not.

*Sims played in five games in 2023, but in one of those games he only played one snap in replacement of a QB whose helmet came off the previous play. He might qualify for an NCAA waiver that actually would give him two seasons of eligibility. 

But Sims’ patience might pay off. If he and Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham click, Sims could have a chance to compete with Michigan State transfer Sam Leavitt for the starting job.

Sims credits his father Jeffrey with the idea to spend the spring semester at Georgia Tech. (In between classes and homework, Sims trained with Atlanta-based QB coach Ron Veal — who worked with Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields when they were high-schoolers.) The younger Sims had always planned to return to The Flats at some point and finish that degree. Jeffrey suggested that letting the transfer portal sort itself out through the spring might shake open some opportunities that might not be available in December. “That’s actually the perfect plan,” Sims told his dad. 

Sims needed a strategy after his season at Nebraska. When he left Georgia Tech after the 2022 season, a lot of schools were intrigued by the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder from Jacksonville, Fla., with the giant arm. Sims had been inconsistent at Georgia Tech, but the Yellow Jackets had gone through a coaching change his final year and he’d been injured at times. Would a change of scenery unlock the potential of a guy who used to go throw-for-throw with Indianapolis Colts starter Anthony Richardson and Georgia starter Carson Beck when the trio all worked together as high-schoolers with trainer Denny Thompson back home in Jacksonville?

Sims won the starting job at Nebraska. He got an NIL deal with a John Deere tractor dealership. The Cornhuskers brought him to Big Ten media days and made him one of the faces of the program. But once the season started, everything unraveled.

At Minnesota on opening night, Nebraska was driving late in a 10-10 tie when Sims threw an interception — his third of the game — that set up a game-winning field goal for the Gophers. The following week at Colorado, Sims fumbled two snaps and threw an interception in the first half to set up the Buffaloes’ first 10 points. Later in the season, Sims added a fumble that was returned for a touchdown against Purdue and a fumble and two interceptions in a loss to Maryland. Sims had struggled with interceptions at times at Georgia Tech, but it seemed no matter what he did at Nebraska, it didn’t work.

Sims knows how awful it looked. “I played bad that year,” Sims said. “That happens as an athlete. You’re going to have a year where things are just not going your way.” But Sims doesn’t regret going to Nebraska. He loved his coaches and teammates. In fact, he remains highly complimentary of Cornhuskers coach Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield, even though Sims and the coaches came to the conclusion together that Sims probably needed to play elsewhere.  “I loved the way me and coach Satt and coach Rhule communicated,” Sims said. “I think they handled that very well. And I just thank them for giving me that opportunity.”

Now Sims seeks the next opportunity. In addition to Arizona State, he has had discussions with new Georgia State coach Dell McGee. But the chance to play in Tempe is particularly intriguing.

When Dillingham got to Arizona State, his plan was to start Notre Dame transfer Drew Pyne. But Pyne was hurt in camp, forcing Rashada — then a freshman — into the lineup. Injuries forced the Sun Devils to start four different QBs (Trenton Bourguet and Jacob Conover were the others) on the season. 

Pyne and Conover hit the portal after the season. Bourguet remained, and he was joined by Leavitt — who played in four games as a freshman at Michigan State. The Spartans’ job became unavailable when Aidan Chiles followed coach Jonathan Smith to East Lansing from Oregon State. 

All Sims wants is a legitimate chance to compete for a starting job. He understands his history could limit his choices, but he also understands coaches are more willing to take a chance on someone with his size, speed and arm strength. 

Sims grew up throwing with Richardson and Beck, and for a lot of that time he was considered their equal. His first cousin is Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul Reed, so he understands the work required to make it as a pro athlete. Sims played at Georgia Tech with 2023 Lions first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs, and the two haven’t given up hope for a jersey swap if Sims can make it to the league.

Sims understands that might not happen for him, which is why he made sure he secured those degrees at Nebraska and Georgia Tech. But he also believes that he can overcome the turnover issues that plagued him at Nebraska and help some team this fall. And if he can, more opportunities might follow.

“I feel like I have a lot to show,” Sims said. “I feel like I have a lot to prove. I know my abilities. I know what I can do. And I know my opportunity is going to come where I can show all that and it’s going to be on full display.”