Juwan Simpson attended Austin High School in Decatur, Alabama where he played basketball and football. As a senior he averaged 20.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game on the basketball team as a senior. He was named first-team all-state and was a finalist for state player of the year. Juwan played defensive back and receiver on the football team, totaling 78 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries as a junior. As a senior he finished with 83 tackles, 3 sacks, and 3 interceptions on defense. On offense he caught 42 passes for 778 yards and 8 touchdowns. He was named first team all-state for his play as a senior. He accepted a scholarship the the University of Alabama where he sat out the 2002 season as a redshirt. He received the "Woodrow Lowe Most Improved Linebacker" award following spring practices in 2003. Juwan saw action in all 12 games that season, starting 3 contests. He finished the season with 61 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble. He was named freshman all-SEC at the conclusion of the season. He began his sophomore season as a starter before injuring his shoulder midway through the season. He missed two games and returned to start the final five. He finished the season with 32 tackles and a half sack. As a junior, Juwan started every game for the first time in his career, totaling 64 tackles 1 1/2 sacks and a career high 2 interceptions on the season. He was named academic all-SEC for his performance in the classroom. Juwan started 11 games as a senior. He had an interception and set career highs in tackles (73) and forced fumbles (2).

Juwan Simpson has a good deal of experience against top competition, having started the past three seasons at linebacker for Alabama in the SEC. He is an intelligent player with good athleticism for the linebacker position. He is an instinctive player who does a good job of reading and reacting to what the offense is doing. He has pretty above average speed and good range, giving him the ability to make plays all over the field. He is a solid tackler and a very good coverage linebacker. Simpson lacks ideal size for a linebacker. He will have problems shedding blocks of bigger, stronger offensive linemen. He prefers to run around blockers rather than take them on. This causes him to miss some plays. He will need to bulk up and improve his strength to be an effective run stopper at the next level. He doesn't offer much as a pass rusher. Character is going to be a big issue for Simpson. He was arrested prior to his senior season for receiving stolen property, possession of marijuana, and carrying a pistol without a license. If not for his off the field problems, Juwan would probably be a higher rated prospect. With the exception of his size, he has all the tools to develop into a good weakside linebacker in the NFL. He should be a second day pick in the 2007 NFL draft.