2011 was the last time Blake Sims and Phillip Sims were a part of the same team. Both players enrolled at the University of Alabama in 2010, as highly-touted athletes. The Sims’ boys had to mature, but in five seasons both men became confident their abilities. With college behind them, both players now look to be productive in the National Football League.
Phillip Sims, a former five-star prospect (Scout.com), found stability at Winston-Salem State University. He saw action in 11 games last season, accounting for 1,560 passing yards with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions. Sims completed 59.6 percent of his passes, and averaged 141.8 yards per game. The Rams finished at 9-2 record, and captured a berth in the CIAA conference title game Virginia State. Winston-Salem lost the game 21-17, but Sims put in a stellar performance. He threw for 173 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
Division I football didn’t pan out well for Sims, despite winning a national championship at Alabama as a redshirt freshman in 2011. Sims transferred to Virginia shortly after, but academics kept him off the field. Division II football was exactly was Sims needed. It re-focused him on the game, and helped him to relax some. He worked out for the Arizona Cardinals last week, and was signed as undrafted rookie free agent. Sims is the fifth quarterback on the roster.
Blake Sims silenced all critics in 2014, as a first-year starting quarterback. Alabama averaged 36.9 points per game, and Sims threw for 3,487 passing yards (school record). He totaled 35 touchdowns (28 passing, 7 rushing) with 10 interceptions. Sims guided Alabama to comeback victories over LSU and Auburn. He engineered crucial drives against Tennessee, Mississippi State and Missouri. All three drives resulted in wins for the Crimson Tide.
Sims was a member on two national championship teams (2011, 2012), but he led Alabama to its 24th Southeastern Conference title last season. He connected on 23 of 27 passes for 262 yards with two touchdowns. The Crimson Tide defeated Missouri 42-13. Sims worked out for the Green Bay Packers last week. He impressed head coach Mike McCarthy, but Green Bay chose not to sign him. Sims travels to Washington this week for a workout with the Redskins at running back. Sims’s versatility is a plus; however, he needs to find a system that can use him.
Stephen M. Smith is a staff writer and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Pick Six Previews and SB Nation. You can “follow” him on Twitter via, @ESPN_Future.
