After a year at Louisville, and then Torrance JC, Matt Simms transferred to Tennessee for 2010.
He threw for 1460 yards and 8 TDs while completing 113 of 195 pass attempts.
After going unselected during the 2012 NFL Draft, he’d sign a free agent contract with the New York Jets, and spent the season on and off the practice squad roster and futures list.
Simms saw a promising preseason in 2013, and then later threw his first professional football TD late in the season.
After seeing limited playing time again in the 2014 season, the team drafted two quarterbacks during the 2015 NFL Draft.
Simms would be claimed off of waivers in 2015 by the Buffalo Bills.
He’d join the Falcons practice squad after that and be on and off the team’s practice squad through 2017- when he was released with an injury settlement.
Matt was selected during the second round of the ‘Protect or Pick’ AAF QB draft by the Atlanta Legends.
The Legends went back and forth all season between Matt and former Georgia star Aaron Murray.
Threw for 842 yards and 2 TDs (8 INT) on 79 of 132 passes for Atlanta.
After the AAF collapsed in 2019, Matt resigned with the Falcons, but was placed on IR soon thereafter, ending his season and his career.
NOTES:
Great autograph and card. Love the ‘Caesar-esque’ pose. Matt comes from a solid line of QB bloodlines, with his father Phil and brother Chris, both playing in the NFL at the position as well. I took a shot on Matt on his Topps AAF base card at his parent’s house back in 2019, thinking he’d open it over Christmas- but going on 3 years now, no dice.
Over 4 years at Baylor, Paris, Tx native Jordan Williams started 26 games at LB for the Bears from 2016-2019.
He finished his career in Waco with 208 tackles, 19.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and one recovery.
His best season for the Bears came in 2019, when he had 90 tackles, 9.5 for a loss, and 1.5 sacks.
He also picked off three passes, had 11 passes defended, and forced two fumbles.
After the 2020 NFL draft, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
Jordan was selected by the San Antonio Brahmas in the XFL 2023 Supplemental Draft.
He had a banner year for the Brahmas stingy defense, leading the league with 89 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and a pick.
In 5 of the 10 contests he started for the team, he had 10 or more tackles.
After the 2023 season concluded he was invited to camp with the Carolina Panthers as an inside linebacker.
ACCOLADES:
All-XFL 2023
NOTES:
After the final game against the Defenders, I stayed in the stadium as long as I could to get autographs. I had all the customs I had designed, but only managed to get TJ Vasher. -Still before he left, I flagged down Jordan, who called me, “The card guy,” and said that, “He had to go into the locker room to change and would be back out later.”
Unfortunately that didn’t happen, but he responded to me on Twitter and offered to sign the card for me. I sent him a few to keep and crossed my fingers. It took him about a month but it was well worth it, as he apologized for the wait, signed the card and included a nice note that his mom really liked the cards as well!
Played college ball at Illinois State University from 2003-06.
Set school single season records as a Junior catching 86 passes for 1465 yards and 12 TDs.
At the time of his departure from the school in 07, owned multiple career receiving records (192 catches, 3007 yards, and 29 receiving TDs).
Selected in the 3rd round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons
As a rookie caught 37 passes for 437 yards and a TD.
After a disappointing season in 2008, the Falcons traded Laurent to the St. Louis Rams for a 5th and 6th round pick.
In 2010 had 34 receptions for 344 yards and 2 TDs.
Signed with the Chargers for the 2011 season but was cut in camp.
Immediately picked up by the Cowboys and went on to notch career highs with 54 receptions for 858 receiving yards and 11 TDs.
Signed with the Jaguars in 2012 for a big payday, but injuries- primarily concussions ended his career.
NOTES:
Some great looking cards here of Laurent. I mean I guess he’s best remembered for his brief time in Dallas. One wonders how it would’ve turned out if he stayed put with the Cowboys.
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
167
2110
12.6
15
74
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
