by Austin Silvey
CHARLOTTE, NC — On Wednesday afternoon, it was finally Clemson’s turn to meet with media. They were one of the last teams to do so on Day 1 of #ACCKickoff.
Senior offensive guard, John Simpson, was asked a variety of questions in the breakout session. Everything from fishing for sharks, imitating Trevor Lawrence by wearing a blonde wig, his thoughts on Alabama players and fans not giving the Tigers credit for their 44-16 beatdown of the Tide and more.
At one point he was also asked about Tavien Feaster’s decision to transfer out of the Clemson program. Feaster and Simpson are close friends and had talked about the possibility before the decision was ultimately made.
“It shocked me but it really didn’t shock me because me and Tavien, we’re close,” Simpson began to tell the media in response to a question.
“He has been talking about it. He was like, ‘Man, I’m trying to feed my family,’ and I was like I totally understand. It is what it is.”
”He came from a rough area. He’s trying to make the money that he can so he can help his family out.”
Back on April 24, Feaster announced his intent to transfer out of Clemson after getting his degree in August. Getting his degree makes him eligible to transfer as a graduate student which makes him eligible to play right away wherever he decides to go. He announced recently that his decision is currently between Virginia Tech and South Carolina.
”No, not at all man. That’s my boy,” Simpson said in response to a question asking him if he would have any sense of aggravation or ill-will towards Feaster if he ended up with the Gamecocks.
“I got a few people that’s playing for South Carolina right now. Dakereon Joyner, Javon Kinlaw and all those guys. I grew up playing against Javon Kinlaw. I grew up playing with Dakereon Joyner.”
Simpson graduated from Fort Dorchester High School in 2016 — two years prior to Joyner who was part of the 2018 recruiting class at South Carolina. Simpson and Joyner both helped lead the Patriots to a state title in the 2015/16 season.
The fact that Feaster brought CJ Spiller’s jersey (#28) out of it‘s unofficial retirement also came up. And the fact that it would “anger” some fans if he chose to go to a rival school after it‘s all said and done.
”I don’t like to get into all that man,” Simpson said laughing. “But like I said, he’s a great kid. He’s a hard worker.”
TRANSFER UPDATES
On Monday, July 29, Tavien Feaster made his official announcement on his plans to transfer to the University of South Carolina. He posted a picture on his Instagram account (@xxviii_reasons) with the following quote And picture.
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