Jaylin Simpson Bio
Jaylin Simpson is an American professional football defensive back in the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 17, 2000, in Brunswick, Georgia, Simpson plays cornerback for the Green Bay Packers. He played college football for the Auburn Tigers from 2019 through 2023, where he earned recognition as one of the top defensive players in the Southeastern Conference.
Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds, Simpson entered the NFL after being selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. After brief stints with the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Jets, he signed with the Green Bay Packers in 2025 and continues his professional career with the organization.
Early Life and Background
Jaylin Simpson was born and raised in Brunswick, Georgia, where he developed an early passion for football. He attended Frederica Academy on nearby Saint Simons Island, where he quickly emerged as one of the most versatile athletes on the roster. At Frederica Academy, Simpson played both sides of the ball, lining up as a quarterback and a defensive back throughout his high school career.
During his time at Frederica Academy, Simpson compiled impressive numbers as a two-way player. On offense, he completed 147 of 282 pass attempts for 2,349 yards and 27 touchdowns against eight interceptions, while also rushing for 1,286 yards and 17 touchdowns. As a receiver, he added 39 receptions for 526 yards and seven scores. On defense, he recorded 138 tackles, 13 interceptions, six forced fumbles, and four defensive touchdowns, showcasing the playmaking instincts that would later define his college career.
Coming out of high school, Simpson was rated a four-star defensive back by recruiting analysts. He received scholarship offers from several of the most prestigious programs in college football, including Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, and LSU, before ultimately committing to Auburn University.
Path to American Football
Simpson’s path to the NFL began on the fields of Frederica Academy, where his dual-threat ability as a quarterback and shutdown potential as a defensive back made him one of the most sought-after recruits in the state of Georgia. His high school production, highlighted by 13 interceptions and four defensive touchdowns, gave him a strong foundation for the next level.
When Simpson arrived at Auburn in 2019, he joined a program with a rich tradition of developing defensive talent. Despite a limited role early in his career, he appeared in his first season and recorded two tackles. He steadily increased his responsibilities over the following seasons, breaking up passes and contributing on special teams while adjusting to the speed of the Southeastern Conference.
By his junior and senior seasons, Simpson had transformed into a full-time starter in the Auburn secondary. His combination of physicality, ball skills, and football IQ allowed him to thrive in coverage, eventually leading to his selection as a First-team All-SEC player at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Jaylin Simpson Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Simpson’s early college career at Auburn was marked by steady development rather than immediate stardom. In his first season in 2019, he recorded two tackles, including half a tackle for loss, as he adjusted to the college game. The 2020 season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw him make 14 tackles with one for loss and break up three passes.
The 2021 season marked Simpson’s first major breakthrough. In week nine, he recorded his first career interception, picking off a pass from Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral to help Auburn upset No. 9 Ole Miss 31–20. He finished the season with 27 tackles, one tackle for loss, three pass deflections, and an interception.
Auburn Breakthrough (2022–2023)
The 2022 season saw Simpson take a significant step forward as a playmaker in the Auburn secondary. In week twelve against Western Kentucky, he delivered a career performance, breaking up three passes and recording an interception in a 41–17 victory. He finished the year with 37 tackles, five pass deflections, and two interceptions. During the 2022 offseason, Simpson made a key positional adjustment, switching from cornerback to safety to take advantage of his physicality and range.
Simpson opened the 2023 season with a statement performance. In week one against UMass, he recorded three tackles, a fumble recovery, and an interception that he returned 50 yards for a touchdown as Auburn dominated 59–14. At the conclusion of the season, his strong play earned him a spot on the All-SEC First Team, validating his move to safety and establishing him as one of the conference’s top defensive backs.
Green Bay Packers Era (2025–Present)
After a whirlwind rookie year that included stops with the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Jets, Simpson signed with the Green Bay Packers on August 18, 2025. He was released as part of final roster cuts on August 26 but was signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. Simpson was elevated to the active roster for Week 13 and signed to the active roster on December 30, solidifying his place on the Packers’ defensive depth chart.
Currently wearing jersey No. 38, Simpson has continued to adjust to the cornerback position at the NFL level, the role the Colts had moved him to prior to his first training camp. Through the early stages of the 2025 season, he has recorded 8 total tackles, contributing on defense and special teams as he works to carve out a long-term role in Green Bay’s secondary.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Simpson’s career came on opening night of the 2023 season, when his 50-yard interception return for a touchdown set the tone for Auburn’s blowout win over UMass. That play symbolized the rise that earned him First-team All-SEC honors later that year. Another milestone came in the 2021 season, when his first career interception against Ole Miss helped Auburn topple a top-ten opponent and announced his arrival as a starting-caliber defensive back.
Jaylin Simpson Career Wins
As a defensive back, Simpson’s statistical victories are measured through turnovers, deflections, and big plays rather than win totals. Across his NFL career through the 2025 season, he has recorded 8 total tackles while contributing on special teams and defense for the Green Bay Packers.
Auburn Tigers Highlights
During his time at Auburn, Simpson tallied multiple interceptions, pass deflections, and tackles for loss. He earned First-team All-SEC recognition in 2023, capping a five-year college career that began in 2019 and included his switch from cornerback to safety. He recorded his first career interception in 2021 and a 50-yard pick-six to open the 2023 season, marking the most memorable scoring play of his college career.
Jaylin Simpson Family
Personal Life
Jaylin Simpson was raised in Brunswick, Georgia, before attending Frederica Academy on Saint Simons Island. Public details about his parents and immediate family remain limited, and he has kept much of his personal life private as he focuses on his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transition and opportunity for Jaylin Simpson. After brief stints with the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Jets in 2024, he joined the Green Bay Packers in August and, after a short release, returned to the team via the practice squad. His elevation to the active roster in Week 13 signaled the coaching staff’s growing confidence in his role within the secondary.
Wearing No. 38 and contributing at cornerback, Simpson has logged 8 total tackles while adjusting to the speed and complexity of NFL passing offenses. Working within the Packers’ defensive scheme, he has continued to refine his technique in coverage and on special teams, two areas that often determine the longevity of young defensive backs.
Looking ahead, Simpson’s pathway to a larger role in Green Bay will depend on his development in coverage and his ability to stay healthy through the back half of the 2025 campaign. With the Packers investing a fifth-round draft pick in his potential just one year earlier, the organization remains committed to giving him opportunities to grow into a steady contributor in the secondary.
