Virginia Adds Towson All-American Graduate Transfer Shane Simpson for 2020 Season

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.  –  The Virginia football program announced today (August 3) it has added a transfer, according to head coach Bronco Mendenhall. Running back Shane Simpson (Easton, Pa.) of Towson has signed a grant-in-aid document and will enroll at UVA this summer. Simpson will have one year of eligibility for the Cavaliers and will be eligible immediately as a graduate transfer after completing his degree in sport management at Towson.

Simpson appeared in 35 career games for Towson over the 2015-19 seasons. He missed most of the 2015 and 2019 seasons with injuries and was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA for the 2020 campaign.

Simpson was named a first-team FCS All-American in 2018 by the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association and Hero Sports after finishing second in all of FCS with 171.5 all-purpose yards per game. He was named the 2108 CAA Special Teams Player of the Year and was a three-time all-conference selection in 2018 (first-team at running back, second-team at kick returner and third-team at punt returner).

Simpson leaves Towson with 1,925 career rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. He accumulated 5,088 career all-purpose yards, including 2,080 on kick return. Simpson’s position coach at Towson was former UVA running back Tyree Foreman (1999-01).

An Easton, Pa., native, Simpson played for head coach Steve Shiffert at Easton High School where he earned first-team all-state honors after rushing for 2,124 yards and 41 touchdowns as a senior. Simpson set school record with seven touchdowns in one game and finished career his career with 4,780 rushing yards, 1,587 receiving yards and 85 touchdowns. Simpson was named a Blue/Grey All-American and selected to participate in the Big 33 Classic. Simpson also was a state finalist in the 100-meter dash.

Shane Simpson
5-11 • 195 • RB
Easton, Pa. • Easton HS/Towson

PREVIOUS SCHOOL
A 2019 graduate from Towson, earning a degree in sport management … appeared in 35 career games for Towson over the 2015-19 seasons … missed most of the 2015 and 2019 seasons with injuries and was granted a sixth year by the NCAA for 2020 … named a first-team FCS All-American in 2018 by the Associated Press, AFCA and Hero Sports after finishing second in all of FCS with 171.5 all-purpose yards per game … also named a 2018 second-team FCS All-American by STATS … named the 2108 CAA Special Teams Player of the Year and was a three-time all-conference selection in 2018 (first-team at running back, second-team at kick returner and third-team at punt returner) … also earned STATS third-team All-America honors in 2016 as kick returner and was a first-ream HERO Sports Freshman All-American on the 2019 Walter Payton Award Watch List … accumulated 1,925 career rushing yards and 13 touchdowns at Towson … also recorded 5,088 career all-purpose yards, including 2,080 on kick return with two more scores … position coach at Towson was former UVA running back Tyree Foreman (1999-01).

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL
Played for head coach Steve Shiffert at Easton High School … earned first-team all-state honors after rushing for 2,124 yards and 41 touchdowns as a senior … set school record with seven touchdowns in one game … finished career with 4,780 rushing yards, 1,587 receiving yards and 85 touchdowns … named a Blue/Grey All-American … selected to participate in the Big 33 Classic … also a state finalist in the 100-meter dash … son of Yolanda and Troy Simpson … has one sister, Tenesia.