Anthony Simpson Alleges Unfair Treatment at Michigan Amid Claims of Internal Blackmail
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Former Michigan wide receiver Anthony Simpson is speaking out after entering the transfer portal, alleging that internal turmoil within the Wolverines program cost him a fair shot on the field.
Simpson, who transferred to Michigan last offseason after stints at Arizona and UMass, arrived in Ann Arbor with solid credentials - 68 career catches, 910 yards, and three touchdowns to his name. But his time in the maize and blue was short and quiet.
His lone stat line with the Wolverines? A single 10-yard carry in a lopsided 63-3 win over Central Michigan.
Now, Simpson says there’s more to the story - and he’s not holding back.
In a series of posts on social media, Simpson claimed he was the “best slot receiver” and the “fastest player” on the team, asserting that team captains had pushed for him to see more playing time. But according to Simpson, off-the-field drama involving former head coach Sherrone Moore derailed his chances.
“I was treated unfairly due to Sherrone Moore being blackmailed by players and staff members, which jeopardized my opportunity to get on the field,” Simpson wrote on X. “I was denied fairness.”
Moore was dismissed as Michigan’s head coach in December following the university’s discovery of an inappropriate romantic relationship between him and another staffer. Rumors had circulated for some time, but the internal fallout appears to have run deeper than previously known. Simpson’s claim suggests that other players may have used their knowledge of Moore’s relationship as leverage - potentially influencing playing time decisions.
While Simpson didn’t name names, the implication was clear: he believes another slot receiver used the situation to gain an edge. Michigan’s starting slot receiver, Semaj Morgan, seemed to respond indirectly, posting on social media, “Y’all let people tell y’all anything and believe it.”
It’s a messy end to a season that already had its share of upheaval. Following Moore’s departure, Michigan cleaned house across much of the coaching staff.
Only a handful of assistants - Tony Alford, Lou Esposito, Fred Jackson, and Kerry Coombs - remain. The program has since turned the page with the hiring of Kyle Whittingham, who brings a strong résumé and a steady hand to a program looking to reset.
Whittingham has already made an impression, retaining key players and recruits while adding talent through the transfer portal. But his first season won’t be a walk in the park. Michigan faces a brutal schedule, including road trips to Ohio State and Oregon, and home matchups against Indiana, Oklahoma, Iowa, Penn State, and Michigan State.
As for Simpson, he says he tried to stay at Michigan but was told by the program’s general manager that there wasn’t a roster spot available. “God has plans for us all and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me,” he posted.
Simpson’s story adds another layer to a turbulent chapter in Michigan football. Whether his allegations lead to further fallout remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: he believes his time in Ann Arbor was cut short not by talent, but by politics.