When Lions senior wide receiver Simmie Yarborough is not busy fulfilling his responsibilities as a father and a student, he spends his time working to be the best. Yarborough, a Brookhaven, Miss. native, began his career as number 88 for the Lions in 2008 and has been a standout on the gridiron ever since. He claimed Southland Conference Freshman of the Year, Louisiana Sports Writers’ Association Freshman of the Year and All Southland Conference honors in his first year with Southeastern.

“Simmie has been a solid leader and has been productive since he was a freshman on and off the field,” said Lions head coach Mike Lucas. “He has worked for every honor that he has received.”

On Saturday, Oct. 22, during the game against Texas State, Yarborough became the all-time leading receiver in Lions history when he surpassed former Lion Felton Huggins for most receiving yards in a career with 2,417 yards shattering the old record of 2,404 yards.  

“I’m thankful to be put in that position, but I don’t think of it as something that made my career,” said Yarborough. “I would rather have a conference championship, but I’m not forgetting that I’m thankful for that.”

Yarborough’s success has been consistent throughout his career. After a brilliant freshman showcase, Yarborough’s success continued in his 2009 campaign, leading the Lions offense in receiving with over 800 yards and 12 touchdown catches. His 57 receptions were  also among the league’s best.   

“It’s been a joy. We had our down times and our good times, but it’s been a learning process,” said Yarborough. “I’ve come a long way from 2008, my freshman year.”

By the season’s end it was obvious that Yarborough was a dominant weapon at wide out for the Lions and the nation agreed when the 6’1″ 215 pound receiver was named a 2010 pre-season first team All-American by Consensus Draft Services.

“I don’t think about those records much, I just prepare during the week and come out and play my best,” said Yarborough.

Entering his junior season Yarborough was in reach of shattering all of the previous receiving records in school history, but with teams keying in on him and the pressure of pre-season hype, Yarborough knew that it would not be an easy task.

“Its no pressure, there’s none at all. I know that if we go out and do what we have to do those things will come,” said Yarborough.

Yarborough responded to the hype of being named to the All-Southland Conference and All-Louisiana teams for the third straight year. His 60 receptions led all Lion receivers, accompanied by nine touchdowns.

“I don’t think about those records much, I just prepare during the week and come out and play my best,” said Yarborough.

By the season’s end Yarborough had become the Lions all-time leader in career receptions with 168 and all-time leader in career touchdown receptions with 27.

“I did not know. I scored, and got to the sideline and everyone was yelling ‘congratulations,'” said Yarborough.  

Yarborough began his senior season ranked second all-time with 2,002 receiving yards behind Huggins 2,404 and third in most all-time touchdowns scored in 27, with former Lion running back Horace Belton topping the list with 33 total touchdowns, a record that has stood since 1976.  

Through seven games this season Yarborough has 34 receptions for 415 yards and two touchdowns. These additions expanded his all-time record, giving him a total of 202 receptions and 29 touchdowns.

Yarborough hopes to continue his career in football after life at Southeastern.

“I really want to get a chance to play in the NFL or any kind of league for that matter. If that doesn’t work out, I’d still like to be around football in some kind of way.”