Marcus Simms Bio
Marcus Simms is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the Houston Gamblers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at West Virginia, where he appeared in 33 games and recorded 87 receptions for 1,457 yards and eight touchdowns. Following his college career, Simms entered the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Since then, his professional journey has taken him through several teams across multiple leagues, including the Michigan Panthers, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Houston Roughnecks. Across his professional career, he has demonstrated versatility as a pass catcher and return specialist. He is recognized for his contributions in spring football leagues.
Early Life and Background
Marcus Simms was born on December 18, 1997, in Bowie, Maryland, in the United States. He grew up in the surrounding Maryland community and attended Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring, Maryland, where he developed his early interest in football. His high school years laid the foundation for his later transition to collegiate competition.
At Sherwood, Simms established himself as a talented young receiver, and his performances drew attention from college recruiters. His development in the local football scene shaped his understanding of the wide receiver position. He continued to refine his route running and catching ability during this formative period.
Simms eventually chose to play college football at West Virginia University, a program with a strong offensive tradition. His path from Bowie, Maryland, to a major collegiate program reflected years of consistent work on the field. The combination of his high school foundation and college opportunity set the stage for his professional trajectory.
Path to American Football
Marcus Simms entered West Virginia as a member of the Mountaineers football program from 2016 through 2018. During his three seasons, he played in 33 games, serving as a reliable target in the passing game and contributing on special teams. He recorded 87 receptions for 1,457 yards and eight touchdowns, while also adding two rushing attempts for four yards, 41 kick returns for 992 yards, and 23 punt returns for 157 yards.
His contributions on offense and special teams earned him Second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2017. That recognition helped elevate his profile entering his final college season. Despite his production, he went undrafted in the 2019 NFL draft, though he quickly signed with an NFL team.
Simms’s versatility as a receiver and return man made him an attractive professional prospect. His path from Bowie, Maryland, to West Virginia, and ultimately to professional football, reflected a steady and consistent climb. The experience he gained at the college level prepared him for the rigors of professional competition.
Marcus Simms Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Marcus Simms began his professional career in 2019 when he signed a three-year, $1.775 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars after going undrafted in the 2019 NFL draft. He was signed on July 11, 2019, but his rookie season was disrupted by injury. He was waived/injured on August 19, 2019, and placed on injured reserve due to a concussion on August 31, 2019, before being waived on November 22, 2019.
The injury cut short his initial NFL opportunity and forced him to spend time rehabilitating and reassessing his career path. He continued to pursue professional football opportunities in subsequent seasons, working to return to competitive form. His perseverance allowed him to rejoin the professional ranks through alternative football leagues.
Michigan Panthers Era (2022–2024)
In 2022, Marcus Simms joined the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League (USFL), which later merged into the United Football League (UFL). He played with the Panthers across multiple seasons, becoming a consistent contributor in the receiving corps. His performance with the Panthers established him as a reliable offensive weapon in spring professional football.
During his time with the Panthers, Simms built impressive UFL statistics through the 2024 season, recording 23 receptions for 426 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns, and 201 return yards. His production as both a receiver and a returner made him one of the more versatile players in the league. He earned All-UFL Team honors in 2024, a recognition that reflected his value to the Panthers’ offense.
Seattle Seahawks (2024)
On July 23, 2024, Marcus Simms signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks, returning to the NFL. The opportunity represented another chance to compete at the highest professional level. He joined a competitive wide receiver room during training camp.
His time with the Seahawks was brief, as he was waived/injured on August 7, 2024. The early release prevented him from appearing in regular-season action that year. The setback, however, did not end his professional career, and he quickly returned to spring football.
Houston Roughnecks and Gamblers Era (2025)
On January 10, 2025, Marcus Simms re-signed with the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League, marking a return to the league where he had previously built his reputation. Shortly afterward, on April 7, 2025, he was traded to the Houston Roughnecks in exchange for offensive tackle Cam Carter. The move gave him a fresh opportunity with a new franchise.
Following the trade, Simms joined the Houston organization, which has been rebranded as the Houston Gamblers. The 2025 season has provided him with a continued role as a wide receiver and returner. His experience across multiple teams has shaped him into a seasoned professional entering the later stages of his career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Marcus Simms is known for his versatility, contributing effectively as both a wide receiver and a return specialist. His combination of reliable hands, route-running precision, and open-field vision has made him a dependable target in passing situations. He has also demonstrated toughness and the ability to play through physical challenges, traits that have helped him maintain a long professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments in Marcus Simms’s career came in 2024 when he was named to the All-UFL Team following a productive season with the Michigan Panthers. His Second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2017 stood as an early indicator of his talent. Additionally, his signing with the Seattle Seahawks in 2024 represented a return to the NFL after several seasons in spring professional football.
Marcus Simms Career Wins
Across his professional career, Marcus Simms has built a reputation as a productive receiver and returner, primarily in spring professional football. His performance with the Michigan Panthers earned him league-wide recognition, and he has continued to contribute for the Houston organization. His career totals reflect steady production and consistent availability on the field.
UFL Highlights
During his time in the UFL through the 2024 season, Marcus Simms recorded 23 receptions for 426 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns, and 201 return yards. His selection to the All-UFL Team in 2024 highlighted his impact with the Michigan Panthers. He has continued to add to his totals in the 2025 season with the Houston organization.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his UFL accomplishments, Marcus Simms earned Second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2017 during his time at West Virginia. His brief NFL opportunities with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks further expanded his professional resume. These experiences have collectively shaped a well-rounded career across multiple levels of professional football.
Marcus Simms Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Marcus Simms was raised in Bowie, Maryland, where he grew up and attended Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring, Maryland. Specific details about his parents and family members are not publicly verified in available sources. His upbringing in the Maryland community provided the environment in which he developed his passion for football.
Personal Life
Marcus Simms maintains an active presence on social media, where fans can follow his professional updates. He is represented online by the handle associated with his public accounts, including his Instagram and Twitter profiles. His professional football career has taken him across multiple cities, but he has continued to focus on his development as a player.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transition for Marcus Simms. After re-signing with the Michigan Panthers in January 2025, he was traded to the Houston Roughnecks on April 7, 2025, in exchange for offensive tackle Cam Carter. The trade placed him in a new offensive system with the Houston organization, which was rebranded as the Houston Gamblers.
Throughout the 2025 season, Simms has continued to contribute as a wide receiver and returner, building on the form that earned him All-UFL recognition in 2024. His production has been supported by his experience and the comfort he has developed in spring professional football. He has served as one of the more experienced receivers in the Houston locker room.
Looking ahead, the outlook for Marcus Simms in 2025 centers on consistency and continued production with the Houston Gamblers. His track record suggests he will remain a key contributor in the receiving corps. With his career extending into multiple seasons of professional football, his 2025 performance will play an important role in shaping his legacy within the league.
