When the Cincinnati Bengals selected Coastal Carolina wide receiver Jerome Simpson with the 46th overall pick of the NFL draft, shouts of disbelief could be heard across Bengals country.

Simpson is a little-known receiver.

The organization surprised a lot of fans when the team took the small-school talent in the second round, especially with a number of highly touted receivers — Limas Sweed, DeSean Jackson and Oklahoma's star wideout Malcolm Kelly, who the Bengals courted like a prom date leading up to the draft — still available.

However, there was one man who wasn't surprised at all by the pick, Coastal Carolina assistant coach Hunter Spivey.

"I had been telling people for months that if he didn't go early in the draft, I know he should have," Spivey said.

"I'm hoping I'm right, I think I am, and obviously the Bengals feel that way. When Bengals wideouts coach (Mike) Sheppard came to work him out, I could tell that he was very impressed with Jerome. I was around the kid every day, and he made catches that no one has ever made before. Catches only Jerome Simpson can make. By Jerome's sophomore year, we knew that he was pretty special. We knew physically and ability wise that he was gifted."

The Bengals coaching staff got a glimpse of the receiver's special abilities during rookie minicamp earlier this month.

"You can see the speed — the explosive speed — and that's good to see out there on the practice field," head coach Marvin Lewis said. "You see it right away. He's shown good with his athleticism and ability to catch the football. Those are things you look for."

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Simpson was a big time playmaker for the Chanticleers and the team's go-to-guy on offense. The rangy receiver has an outstanding 41-inch vertical jump, shows good route-running ability, body control and exceptional hands. He's a tremendous all-around football player with good character.

Coach Spivey said he always thought of Simpson as a smaller Randy Moss-type player, and that his ball skills are ridiculous.

Simpson is being looked upon heavily as the replacement for departed Chris Henry at the No. 3 wideout position.

Where Simpson might struggle at the next level is in press-coverage when facing more physical corners and playing against a higher level of talent. Another challenge for the young receiver will be harnessing his competitive nature and not getting frustrated when things get rough. Last, but not least, will be learning the Bengals' offense.

The Bengals would love to see Simpson have an impact like Saints WR Marques Colston did his rookie year when the team drafted him out of small Hofstra in the seventh-round in 2006.

If Simpson is as good as advertised and can make a smooth transition into the pros, there would be more than a rumble in the jungle for the Bengals this season.