[Music] Ryan Simpson grew up always knowing he'd want to be a football player fast forward to 2024 and the Boseman native is ready to put a bow on that career and dream I remember when I was a little kid putting on the pads Halloween and all that stuff so yeah just all that hard work just come down to this last couple of months just yeah give it my all and uh take advantage of it the 6'6 Simpson was a standout for the Boseman High Hawks before making the Tre to Missoula to play for the Montana Grizzlies it was in 2021 as a red shirt freshman he began to get thrown into the fire right away as Simpson began to crack into playing time and caught 19 passes on the season I was a tall tall skinny guy when I got here so just learning to be more physical and uh get used to my body a little more and be able to catch balls and be physical with these college quarterbacks and DBS so just uh being able to bulk up and be more physical it was a big change from high for sure in 2022 Simpson was again prominently featured in the offense as he caught a pair of touchdowns in the season as he continued to grow last year his role changed as his playing time fluctuated but Simpson never wavered or quit as he embraced being a leader and doing whatever the team needed from him yeah we've got a lot of depth on the outside so uh just taking advantage of my opportunities and then when the other guys are in just making sure if they need any help or if like need a call or anything just make sure I'm uh locked in on the sidelines and I'm helping them out whenever they need and yeah just being supportive being positive it can go a long ways that never quit attitude comes from Simpson's own life experience and hardships off of the field over three years ago as a young player still learning the college game tragedy struck Simpson and his family as his father Randy passed away in a vehicle accident he was my role model so uh losing him I definitely wanted to really work work hard and do everything for him even in the classroom and out here just working hard and staying positive and yeah whatever I do do it for him Simpson said his teammates and coaches were a community that was there for him every step of the way as he dealt with this loss and continues to as he thinks about his father every day it's molded him into someone who doesn't take things for granted and who will leave um in the fall with an NBA he always finds a way to stay positive and that mentality stays the same for Simpson as he enters his final campaign as a grizzly with expectations high for him and the group taking it all in enjoying all these little moments every day of practice just with these guys I mean it feels like I've been here forever but at the same time it's going by so fast so just enjoying every moment with my teammates cuz we're all going to be going separate ways in a couple of months so yeah just enjoying all of it reporting in Missoula Kyle Hansen MTN Sports