 As a sophomore, Simpkins was the leading tackler for the 1977 Michigan Wolverines football team that compiled 10-2 record, won the Big Ten Conference championship, and allowed only 97 points (8.8 points per game) in 11 regular season games.Simpkins totaled 144 tackles, nearly double the total of 76 compiled by the team's second-leading tackler.He also sacked opposing quarterbacks 10 times and recovered five fumbles in 1977.