Torricelli Simpkins Ready for Saints 2026 Opener

Early Season Spotlight

Only 68 days remain before the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2026 campaign, and the franchise is gearing up for a daunting opponent. The Saints will travel north to face the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 13 to start the year. Offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins, donning No. 68, is preparing for his second full season after breaking onto the NFL as an undrafted rookie. With several key offensive line additions throughout the offseason, Simpkins faces even stiffer competition as training camp looms.

Key Stats and Background

• Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
• Height/Weight: 6‑ft‑5, 312 lbs
• Relative Athletic Score: 5.53
• Drafted: Undrafted in 2025 (Saints)
• 2026 Salary Cap Hit: $1.02 million

These numbers paint the picture of a raw talent who impressed enough to earn a roster spot despite lacking a draft selection. Simpkins’ physical profile suggests he can hold his own in the NFL’s demanding offensive line battles. His $1.02 million cap hit reflects the Saints’ confidence in his upside, even if he still has work to do.

College Roots

Simpkins starred at Olympic High School before committing to North Carolina Central, an HBCU in the Mid‑Eastern Athletic Conference. He missed his freshman year in 2020 due to COVID‑19, but returned to become a fixture at left tackle. Over three seasons he started 35 straight games, earning first‑team All‑MEAC honors twice. By 2023 he was also named HBCU All‑American and MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year. That same year he transferred to South Carolina, shifting from center to right guard and anchoring the Gamecocks’ line with third‑team All‑SEC honors.

NFL Debut and Early Impact

Simpkins made the preseason roster in his rookie year and seized his opportunity when injuries opened doors. A Week 3 start came after Trevor Penning and Dillon Radunz were sidelined, and he impressed in a run‑blocking role. When Cesar Ruiz went down in Week 4, Simpkins relieved him and earned another start the following week. Across three appearances he showed solid play, especially in run blocking, and began to improve his pass‑protection technique.

Future Outlook

Despite a solid snapshot of early success, Simpkins saw only one offensive snap after Week 5 and spent the remainder of the season primarily on special‑teams units, logging 64 snaps there. The limited playing time has left questions about coach Kellen Moore’s rotation strategy, especially given the struggles of Ruiz and Radunz. With the ability to guard and center, a strong training camp performance could earn him a more prominent role in the Saints’ offensive line hierarchy. The competition is fierce, but Simpkins’ upside and versatility make him a key name to watch as New Orleans looks to build a more balanced attack for the 2026 season.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Torricelli Simpkins III is the Player of Day 68