Western Kentucky will need to replace one of their better defenders from the 2023 campaign. Safety Kendrick Simpkins announced his commitment to the Baylor Bears earlier this week.
A hard-hitting defender from Montgomery, Alabama, Simpkins forced four fumbles in 2023 with an impressive 7.5 sacks. Simpkins had 118 total tackles in four seasons with the Hilltoppers.
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Simpkins will be in a position to use his strengths well in Baylor's defensive scheme. Playing the position of STAR, which combines elements of a safety, a linebacker, and occasionally edge rusher, Simpkins will apply pressure to Big 12 backfields similar to how he did in Conference USA. He led the Hilltoppers with 11 tackles for loss in 2023, alongside eight QB hurries.
Simpkins was listed as a three-star prospect coming out of the transfer portal. Per 247Sports, he was the #18 safety in the portal this cycle.
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