Former Boise State starter picks new school. His coach is an NFL legend
Former Boise State starting linebacker Andrew Simpson has found a new home, and he’ll be playing for one of the greatest coaches of all time.
Simpson committed to play for North Carolina on Wednesday afternoon, according to sports outlet On3. Simpson announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on March 27, having spent his first three years of eligibility at Boise State. He redshirted his freshman season in 2021.
He’s joining a Tar Heels program that is now under the direction of a man with eight Super Bowl rings, Bill Belichick, who signed to be North Carolina’s head coach in the offseason. Belichick won six Super Bowls as head coach of the New England Patriots, and won two when he was defensive coordinator with the New York Giants.
Simpson is the fifth linebacker that UNC has recruited out of the transfer portal this year as Belichick loads up to coach what he knows best: defense.
The 6-foot linebacker appeared in 40 games for Boise State, starting in 25. In 2024, as a redshirt junior, he recorded 46 tackles, three sacks, an interception and three forced fumbles.
Simpson isn’t the only former Bronco to have committed to a big-name program. Punter James Ferguson-Reynolds announced in early May that he would play at Oregon, having entered the portal on April 15.
Ferguson-Reynolds put on a show in front of the Oregon fans last year in Boise State’s 37-34 loss at Autzen Stadium. He had eight punts in the game, averaging 46.4 yards per kick, including one of 68 yards and two within the 20-yard line. He also had zero touchbacks.
Simpson and Ferguson-Reynolds were the only two starters Boise State lost to the portal this offseason. Former five-star quarterback recruit and USC Trojan Malachi Nelson also left the program in December, committing to UTEP in January.
