After playing in the SEC and lining up against some of the best wide receivers in the nation, Jaylin Simpson said he feels like he's ready to take his game to the next level.
"In the SEC we play against the biggest and the baddest - guys who went in the first round," Simpson said. "I played against [Malik] Nabers for three years, Jayden Daniels, all those guys and then playing against guys on my team. I feel like it's the best conference because it's the closest thing to the NFL."
He will get his first real taste of NFL action soon after the Colts used their No. 164 pick on Simpson in the fifth round.
Listed as a cornerback by the team, but boasting a lot of experience at safety, Simpson said he can play all over the secondary.
"I'm just a defensive back. I'm not just one defined defensive back - corner, safety, nickel. I could play all of them," Simpson said. "I just feel like at the end of the day, everything in my game can be touched up on and I'm just gonna continue to keep working on everything."
The Colts added to their defensive backfield on Saturday, selecting Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson in the fifth round (No. 164 overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft.
FILE - Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) carries the ball after an interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Samford Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. Simpson has been selected to The Associated Press midseason All-America team, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte catches a pass for a touchdown as he rolls into the end zone over Auburn defensive back Jaylin Simpson (36) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn defensive back Jaylin Simpson (36) breaks up a pass intended for LSU wide receiver Jaray Jenkins (10) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn defensive back Jaylin Simpson (36) lines up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against LSU on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Northwestern wide receiver Riley Lees (19) is upended by Auburn defensive back Jaylin Simpson, right, after a reception during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) lines up during an NCAA football game against LSU on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Texas A&M wide receiver Demond Demas (1) catches a pass as Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
South Carolina running back ZaQuandre White (11) runs with the ball against Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) breaks up a pass to Alabama wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Auburn's Jaylin Simpson (36) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game against Mercer on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Mississippi wide receiver Dayton Wade (19) hauls in a 35-yard touchdown pass reception past Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Texas A&M wide receiver Evan Stewart (1) hurdles by Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) as he carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Massachusetts quarterback Taisun Phommachanh (3) is tackled by Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) intercepts a pass intended for Samford wide receiver Chandler Smith (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mississippi State wide receiver Zavion Thomas (1) stiff arms Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) as he carries the ball during the second half an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) breaks up a pass intended for Vanderbilt wide receiver London Humphreys (83) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) plays against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) celebrates after Alabama missed a field goal during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond (17) is tackled by Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) as he caries the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American defensive back Jaylin Simpson of Auburn (36) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Auburn defensive back Jaylin Simpson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Auburn defensive back Jaylin Simpson (62) celebrates with fellow defensive backs after the workout at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Auburn defensive back Jaylin Simpson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Auburn defensive back Jaylin Simpson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Though Simpson said he was unsure how the Colts planned on using him, he said he's ready to step up to the plate.
"The last conversation I had with them was a while ago, it was like right after the Combine. But, they really liked me at the free [safety] spot," Simpson said. "They liked my range, my athleticism, so that's really what I remember. But whatever they need me to do, I will do it and I will be productive at it."
No matter where he lines up, the team will ask him to match up against some of the best wide receivers in the league.
Something, that Simpson said he's looking forward to.
"I just like playing against the best of the best," Simpson said. "In college, especially with SEC teams, you kind of play against smaller league teams before you get to SEC play. I personally didn't like that. I wanted the big games, the Georgias, the LSUs, the Alabamas. That's when the stars come out, the big plays, the big moments and you really get to see who rises to the light. I feel like I always did."
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