Nov. 15, 2005

With the score tied at 24 against Nebraska Oct. 22, Cornhusker quarterback Zac Taylor completed a fourth down pass to wide receiver Terrence Nunn, who took off down the middle of the field past the first down marker and inside the Missouri 10-yard line where he was met by Mizzou safety Jason Simpson. Simpson wrapped Nunn up perfectly and ripped the ball from his arms at the 3-yard line where it was recovered by the Tigers.

Simpson's forced fumble proved to be a turning point in the Missouri victory as the Tiger offense proceeded to march 97 yards and take a 31-24 lead it would not relinquish.

Simpson was not heavily recruited out of high school but has excelled with the Tigers as a hard-hitting, big-play safety. Even when Simpson played little league football he was known for flying across the field and making plays.

"I did kickoffs as a kid and my grandma always talked about how I would kick the ball off and be the first guy down there to tackle him," Simpson said.

Growing up in The Woodlands, Texas, playing football was natural for him as it is such an integral part of Texas culture. Simpson enjoyed little league football because there was no pressure.

"Back then it was just all fun," Simpson said. "You weren't going to lose your job if you miss a tackle or mess up."

In high school, Simpson did not start on the varsity team until his senior season. That season, he recovered two fumbles and had three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown.

"That pick was right before the half and it changed the entire game," Simpson said. "Making those kinds of plays is what it's all about."

In the spring, Simpson lettered in track and field as a pole vaulter. Simpson said pole vaulting was the hardest sport he had ever attempted and to do it well you need to be a little crazy.

"It's all timing," Simpson said. "Everything has to flow well, there can't be any hiccup in your form and you have to be a little crazy because you're going straight up 18 or 20 feet in the air."

Pole vaulting helped Simpson with his football game because the complicated nature of the sport helped him pay attention to detail on the football field.

"It helps you key into all the little things," Simpson said. "It's hard to coach the little things and you have to take it upon yourself to take the game that seriously."

Simpson was not heavily recruited because he only got consistent varsity playing time his senior season. MU defensive backs coach Cornell Ford saw tape of Simpson while recruiting other players.

"There wasn't much of a recruiting process for me," Simpson said. "I was getting recruited by New Mexico and Northwest Louisiana State and then Coach Ford came and saw some tape of me and offered me a scholarship."

Simpson spent his first year on campus adjusting to college life and work on his studies during his redshirt year.

"Redshirting helps you mature," Simpson said. "I was able to have fun my freshman year and work on my studies - usually people aren't that good their first year and redshirting gives you a buffer. It allows you to be a real college student and get adjusted to the lifestyle."

After his freshman year, Simpson continued to mature and became a captain this season.

"It's kind of funny because I'm keeping the guys that act like I did in line," Simpson said. "I used to be `bumpy' as Coach Ford said and now I'm getting more smooth. I just try to help the other players; I understand what they're going through so I can help them. It doesn't mean anything if it's coming from somebody who didn't go through the same struggles."

During his career at Missouri, Simpson gained a reputation for making big plays on the field as well as being a trash-talker.

"I definitely talk a lot of trash," Simpson said. "It's fun to try to get in someone's head after I make a play on them or hit them hard."

Simpson said it is difficult to get in any player's head during a game because he is not always matched up with the same person on every play. However, he is able to do so on occasion.

"During the UT game, the tight end was trying to mess with me and I was just laughing at him and talking back to him," Simpson said. "He started doing a lot of extra cheap stuff just to try and get me so I think I just got in his head."

During his career, Simpson enjoyed beating Kansas his freshman year and beating Nebraska two seasons ago and this year. He also enjoyed going to the Independence Bowl his sophomore season and hopes to go to another bowl this campaign.

"That was the first time the school had been to a bowl game in a long time and it was a fun experience," Simpson said. "It's fun to go somewhere new and play a team that you'll probably never play again. You also get a lot of free stuff and free events, it's just a fun experience overall."

Outside of football, Simpson likes to relax and play video games, especially NCAA Football 2006 where he controls Mizzou in the dynasty mode.

"After class and practice, I need to have two hours to myself," Simpson said. "I like to go home and just relax and do nothing or play video games. Every week I play NCAA 06 and have fun playing as myself and as Mizzou on a dynasty."

After he graduates, Simpson hopes to be able to play in the NFL.

"Hopefully I'll do well enough this year that I'll be able to play in the NFL," Simpson said. "If I don't, I'll have a degree in business to fall back on and I've made plenty of contacts so I should be able to find a job."

Simpson will graduate in May of 2006. -By Jeremy Anders