On Saturday morning, out on the football field at Mallard Creek High, Trenton Simpson said he felt the same way he did when he was a freshman at the northeast Charlotte school.
Only this time, it was Simpson — a former Clemson star and current Baltimore Ravens linebacker — hosting a youth football camp to share his support for his community and high school alma mater.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Trent Simpson speaks with a youth player during his free football camp at Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte. Simpson was an All-American there in high school Jonathan Aguallo Special to The Observer
“I feel like a little kid out here,” said Simpson, whose camp was run by Charlotte-based VTO Sports and included fellow former Mallard Creek star turned NFL player D.J. Humphries. “It feels like my first day at Mallard Creek when I was in the ninth grade.
“This place molded me into who I am.”
For nearly 100 boys and girls and a few hundred fans who watched from the stands at Mallard Creek, Simpson said he just wanted to share his passion for the sport that’s given him so much.
“I wanted to give back to the kids, motivate them and see them have fun,” said Simpson, who is preparing for his third NFL season as a linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens. “As long as I’m in the NFL, it’ll be free for the kids to come out here, have a good day, get some work in, get good food and have some fun.”
Former Mallard Creek high school All-American Trent Simpson is now a NFL player with the Ravens. Saturday, Simpson held a free camp for youth at his alma mater Jonathan Aguallo Special to The Observer
Simpson starred at Mallard Creek from 2016 to 2019; he was rated as the state’s top high school prospect.
After signing with Clemson, Simpson was a three-year Tigers standout who earned All-ACC honors in 2022 and was a third-round draft pick of the Ravens in 2023.
In two seasons in Baltimore, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Simpson has 86 total tackles, including 2 1/2 sacks, and two fumble recoveries in 32 games (13 starts).
He’s entering the third year of a four-year, $5.41 million contract he signed with the Ravens before his rookie season.
A young camper goes through the cones during NFL player Trent Simpson’s free camp at his alma mater, Mallard Creek High School, Saturday Jonathan Aguallo Special to The Observer
“It’s been great playing in the NFL,” Simpson said. “I’m just trying to improve every year and go out there and do my thing. I’m praying God will keep me safe and I’m continuing to work hard.
“I’m going into the third year of my deal so this is a very pivotal year for me. I could get extended after this year. I just want to go out there and perform.”
Humphries still a free agent
Another previous top N.C. high school football prospect (N.C. class of 2011), Humphries is currently an NFL free agent offensive tackle after spending nine years with the Arizona Cardinals and last season with the Super Bowl runner-up Kansas City Chiefs.
Former Mallard Creek high stars DJ Humphries (left) and Trent Simpson are now both NFL players. They addressed youth at Simpson’s free camp at Mallard Creek Saturday Jonathan Aguallo Special to The Observer
A 6-foot-5, 307-pounder, Humphries has played in 103 games (101 starts) during his career.
“I’m waiting for the right opportunity to present itself,” said Humphries, who declined to specify particular team offers. “I’m going to let everything play itself out. It’s kind of like college signing day with all of the hats on the table.”
Humphries was happy to help with Simpson’s camp, particularly since his two sons (Dash and Dae) and younger brother (Diem) were among the participants.
“This is the first time I’ve been involved with a camp,” said Humphries, who was a three-sport athlete (football, basketball, track) at Mallard Creek from 2008 to 2012. “Every year I’ve said I wanted to do a camp but I get wrapped up in my charity work in my hometown in South Carolina (Union).”
Humphries was a reserve in the Chiefs’ 23-14 AFC semifinal win over the Houston Texans and the 32-29 AFC championship win over the Buffalo Bills, but didn’t play in the 40-22 Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
“It doesn’t get much better than that organization,” Humphries said of the Chiefs. “They breed natural-born winners there. And when you think about all of their top players, it’s no accident that they drafted almost all of them.
“It was super fun to be a part of such a successful organization.”
VTO Sports
Vince Jacobs, owner of Charlotte-based VTO Sports, put on the camp at Mallard Creek with the help of several current and former area coaches, among them current Mallard Creek head coach Kennedy Tinsley, his staff and many current Mavericks players.
Ravens linebacker Trent Simpson, Mallard Creek High coach Kennedy Tinsley and NFL free agent DJ Humphries participated in Simpson’s free youth camp at Mallard Creek Saturday. Simpson and Humphries are alumni of the Charlotte school Jonathan Aguallo Special to The Observer
VTO Sports also operates eight Charlotte-Mecklenburg Middle School championship games, among them football and flag football.
High praise for Mallard Creek
While Mike Palmeiri was the Mavericks’ head coach when Humphries and Simpson played, both NFL players had high praise for Tinsley.
Former Mallard Creek coach Mike Palmieri, now coaching in Georgia, greets Trent Simpson during Simpson’s camp at Mallard Creek Saturday. Palmieri coached Simpson in high school Jonathan Aguallo Special to The Observer
“Coach Tinsley is leading Mallard Creek in the right way,” Simpson said. “I’m so blessed to be a Mallard Creek alum.”
Added Humphries: “It’s so cool that these kids know my name whenever I walk into the building. Coach Tinsley has got this thing rolling well. We communicate a lot and he lets me work out in the gym whenever I’m in town.”
▪ Palmieri drove up from Georgia, where he is now coaching, to attend the camp.