Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule speaks during a news conference on Wednesday at Memorial Stadium. For more, visit https://journalstar.com/huskers/.
Matt Rhule knew who Jeff Sims was long before the former Georgia Tech quarterback entered the transfer portal.
Rhule, as head coach of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, found time on Saturdays the last three years to watch lots of college football. One player who caught his eye was Sims, a starter each season under coach Geoff Collins, whom Rhule worked with in previous stops at Albright College (1998) and Western Carolina (2002-05).
“I fell in love with Jeff just as a player early on,” Rhule said Wednesday. “He’s dynamic, he’s athletic, he’s smart, he’s big. He’s got accuracy, he can throw from the pocket. So when he became available — when he went into the transfer portal — I was already sold on him. I even had people in the NFL say, ‘Hey, you need to go get this guy.’ Everyone recognizes he’s an NFL talent.”
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Sims has an “elite” personality, Rhule said, adding he’s “grateful” the QB with three years to play two chose the Huskers.
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The incoming quarterback has thrown for 4,464 yards, 30 touchdowns and 23 interceptions across a 25-game career interrupted at times by injuries. He’s also rushed 277 times for 1,152 yards and 11 scores out of Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville, Florida.
Sims, who committed Sunday, told The World-Herald he was ready to arrive and compete in a quarterback group that currently consists of six scholarship players including returning starter Casey Thompson. The 20-year-old Sims — noted for a big arm and explosive speed — said he selected NU to help refine him into a legitimate pro talent.
“I feel like mentally I’ve grown a lot and I’m always working to get faster and stronger physically,” Sims said. “So just the intangible pieces of a true NFL quarterback is what I want to work on to put it all together.”
Rhule said he wasn’t dead set on adding a transfer QB, but he was dead set on adding Sims if possible. He wants players who are tough, accurate and mobile.
Rhule also confirmed that offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield would double as quarterbacks coach. The head coach spoke with Thompson as well as the veteran recovers from shoulder surgery that will likely limit his spring availability.
“He’s an impressive young man,” Rhule said of Thompson. “He played a lot of good football. Looking forward to him getting healthy and moving forward.”
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