When the season first kicked off for Alabama Crimson Tide and Ty Simpson, doubts swirled around the program. Was Kalen DeBoer truly the right man to lead the Tide? Could this team overcome adversity when the spotlight burned brightest? Did they still have the trademark grit and heart that defined Alabama football? And, perhaps most pointedly, was Ty Simpson really the right choice to be QB1?

Fast forward to midseason, and those questions are being answered loudly on the field. Simpson isn’t just proving he belongs: he’s thriving. The junior quarterback has completed 134 of 189 attempts, throwing for 16 touchdowns with just one interception. Week after week, he’s commanding the offense with confidence, precision, and a level of poise rarely seen in college football.

Simpson’s rise hasn’t gone unnoticed nationally. Jordan Rodgers, an analyst for ESPN, recently called Simpson the best NFL quarterback prospect in college football right now on ESPN’s Get Up on Tuesday.

“It’s Ty Simpson. I think since week one, that loss against Florida State Seminoles, he has been lights out — 14 touchdowns, just one interception. But it is the type of throws that he’s making. I don’t think anybody in college football anticipates as well as he does and layers the football, which means throws it up and over linebackers into the second level with accuracy, in tight windows. Also, incredible amount of athleticism that I don’t think he gets enough credit for to extend plays on the outside. I think he’s playing at such a high level right now.”

Rodgers’ praise captures what Alabama fans have witnessed all season. Simpson isn’t just making the routine plays, he’s delivering NFL-caliber throws, showing incredible anticipation, and extending plays with his legs when protection breaks down.

More importantly, he’s become the steady heartbeat of this Alabama offense. In a year when many counted the Tide out, Simpson has emerged as the driving force behind Alabama’s comeback story. The poise, the grit, and the precision are all there. A reflection of both his personal growth and the unwavering standard of Alabama football.

Ty Simpson isn’t just Alabama’s QB1. He truly is a star on the rise.