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South Carolina offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins III earns NFL opportunity

Griffin Goodwynby: Griffin Goodwyn04/27/25griffin_goodwyn
Torricelli Simpkins III
Torricelli Simpkins III (Photo by Katie Dugan/GamecockCentral)

A busy three days for former Gamecocks at the 2025 NFL Draft saw five South Carolina football products selected. Torricelli Simpkins III was not selected, but it didn’t take long for him to earn an NFL opportunity, too.

Simpkins will sign an undrafted free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints. Simpkins posted the news on his Instagram and it was also confirmed by Nola.com.

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Simpkins III joined the Gamecocks’ roster ahead of the 2024 season as a transfer from North Carolina Central. He started all 13 games at right guard last year, playing 854 total snaps – the third-most of any player on the team. Simpkins III also had the highest pass-blocking grade by any South Carolina offensive lineman in the regular season, according to Pro Football Focus (81.0).

He also gained numerous accolades in his sole season with the Gamecocks. Following strong individual performances against Texas A&M and Vanderbilt, Simpkins III received Offensive Lineman of the Week honors from the SEC. And by season’s end, SEC coaches and College Football Nation placed him on their All-SEC Third Teams.

Simpkins III was a decorated offensive lineman with North Carolina Central prior to his arrival to Columbia. He earned a spot on the All-MEAC First Team in both 2022 and 2023, in addition to being named a First-Team HBCU All-American following the latter year.

Here is a full list of Simpkins III’s accolades over the course of his college football career:

  • 2024 Third-Team All-SEC (Coaches, College Football Nation)
  • 2024 Rex Enright Team Captain
  • 2024 Co-Outstanding Student Athlete
  • 2024 CSC Academic All-District
  • 2024 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll
  • 2024 Gamecock Toughness Award – Offense
  • 2023 Third-Team All-America (Stats Perform)
  • 2023 First-Team HBCU All-America
  • 2023 First-Team All-MEAC
  • 2023 MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year
  • 2022 First-Team All-MEAC
  • 2021 Third-Team All-MEAC (Phil Steele)

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