Juwan Simpson, Linebacker

Signed as a free agent on May 21, 2008 by Calgary Stampeders of the CFL.

2007

Simpson signed with the Green Bay Packers in April before being released in September.

College highlights

• Was named defensive squad captain and recorded a career-high 86 tackles, one interception and two forced fumbles in 2006
• Started in final 24 games with Alabama
• Recorded 64 tackles and a career-high two interceptions in 2005
• Was an Academic All-Southeastern Conference selection in 2005

Notable

Born Juwan Garth, Simpson changed his name to honour his father who passed away in 2004. He has a degree in Criminal Justice from Alabama.

2005 Academic All-SEC
Freshman All-SEC (Coaches, The Sporting News, Knoxville News)

2007 Senior Bowl: 3 tackles

2006 (Senior): Started 11 games at outside linebacker and finished second on the team with 73 tackles to go along with five tackles for a loss, one interception, two forced fumbles and five quarterback hurries. He had three or more tackles in all 11 games and posted seven or more tackles seven times. He recorded his 200th career tackle and finished with a team-high 11 tackles at Tennessee. He also led the team with nine tackles and a quarterback hurry against Hawai’i in the season opener. He intercepted a pass to end the game against Vanderbilt in the SEC opener. He forced a fumble at the goal-line against Duke and finished with a team-high eight tackles. He had five tackles and a caused fumble against Ole Miss. Simpson finished with seven tackles, two tackles for a loss and two quarterback hurries against Mississippi State. He led the team with seven tackles and a quarterback hurry at Florida. He also led the squad with seven tackles against the Commodores. Simpson posted seven tackles at LSU. He played a total of 644 snaps with a season-high 77 at Tennessee. He played over 50 snaps in nine of his 11 games and had six games of over 60 plays. He was named the Alabama Defensive Player of the Week after the Florida International contest. He also served as captain of the defense three times. He led the defense in back-to-back games against Ole Miss and Tennessee as well as Auburn.

2005 (Junior): Simpson started every game for the Tide in 2005, recording 700 snaps including a season high 77 against Arkansas. It was a breakout season for the junior linebacker. Simpson had a careeer-best 64 tackles, includng six stops behind the line (23 yards) and 1.5 sacks (18 yards).  He recorded his first career interception against Arkansas and turned the trick again against Mississippi State. He also recorded  a career-high five tackles and four quarterback pressures. His high tackle game came at Ole Miss when he tallied eight stops including a TFL for -2 yards. He also recorded eight tackles and a quarterback pressure against Utah State. Simpson helped anchor a defense that ranked first in the nation in scoring defense, second in total defense, fifth in pass defense and ninth in rushing defense.

2004 (Sophomore): After starting the first five games of the season, Juwan suffered a shoulder injury in the South Carolina game that forced him to miss games against Kentucky and Southern Miss. He played in the remaining five games, but not as a starter. He finished the regular season with 32 tackles, four stops behind the line for five yards and one-half sack for one yard. He also had three quarterback pressures, one fumble recovery (against Ole Miss) and one pass break-up. He had a season-high seven tackles against Auburn and five each against Utah State and Ole Miss.

2003 (Freshman): Juwan saw action in 12 games, getting starts against Georgia, Southern Miss and Ole Miss. In his three starts, Juwan had 33 tackles. He played 101 snaps in the Georgia game, 81 on defense, 20 on special teams and 91 against Ole Miss. He missed the Mississippi State game with a leg injury. Juwan was the Tide's seventh-leading tackler with 62 stops, including two sacks for 24 yards. He had 11 tackles and one sack against Georgia and added a fumble recovery which he returned 10 yards for a touchdown. For the season, he also had three pass break-ups, three quarterback pressures and had a forced fumble. He had two double-figure tackle games, getting 11 against Georgia and a career-high 13 in the Ole Miss game. Juwan earned the “Woodrow Lowe Most Improved Linebacker” Award following spring practice.

2002 Redshirted

Prep: A two-way athlete at Austin High School in Decatur, Juwan earned All-State honors in football and basketball and was a finalist for the 6A Player of the Year in Basketball. As a defensive back in football, he registered 83 tackles, three sacks, nine tackles behind the line and three interceptions. As a receiver, he caught 42 passes for 778 yards and eight touchdowns. Against rival Hartselle High School, Juwan had six catches for 206 yards and a pair of TDs. As a junior, he had 78 tackles, four sacks, four caused fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries. While playing basketball as a senior, he averaged 20.6 points and 8.1 rebounds.

Personal: Juwan is the son of the late Walter and Mary Simpson. Born 7-8-84.