Western Kentucky Safety Kendrick Simpkins Commits to Baylor

Western Kentucky safety transfer Kendrick Simpkins has committed to Baylor following an official visit over the weekend. He chose Baylor over offers Florida and Washington State among others. 

BAYLOR TRANSFER PORTAL COMMITS

The 6-foot-0, 200-pound prospect had a breakout season as a junior for WKU in 2023 as he posted 52 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 8 quarterback hurries, a pass deflection and four forced fumbles. Simpkins earned Conference USA honors as he led the nation in sacks by a defensive back.

Simpkins is slated to play STAR, a position Baylor has been trying to replace each of the past two seasons following Jalen Pitre’s All American season in 2021.

According to PFF, Simpkins 90.7 pass rush grade was No. 5 nationally for safeties who played at least  300 snaps on the season. Of the 12 safeties to rush the passer at least 20% of their defensive snaps, Simpkins’ 90.7 pass rush grade was the only safety nationally to grade over 70.6.

Of his 771 snaps, Simpkins played 253 of those in a free safety alignment, 155 in the slot, 235 in the box, and 122 at the line of scrimmage. 

Baylor head coach Dave Aranda took a hands on approach in Simpkins’ recruitment as he was heavily involved in securing his commitment along with defensive coordinator Matthew Powledge and cornerbacks coach Kevin Curtis.

Simpkins joins UNLV transfer safety Cameren Jenkins as the second defensive back the staff has taken out of the transfer portal and becomes the sixth transfer portal addition for the 2024 season.