Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is entering the NFL draft in 2026. The quarterback was mocked to land with an AFC team that needs a franchise signal caller.
Quarterback Ty Simpson had a hard decision to make after Alabama lost 38-3 to Indiana in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.
Simpson's career with the Crimson Tide appeared to be at an end.
Following the loss to Indiana, he didn't appear to be a lock to make the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, even after quarterback Dante Moore announced his plans to return to Oregon next season.
Simpson told AL.com that he was afraid transferring to another program would "tarnish" his legacy.
“There is no doubt in my mind that the last jersey I wanted to wear in college was the Alabama Crimson Tide jersey,” Simpson said. “I came there. I stayed there. The last thing I wanted to do was tarnish my legacy and go somewhere else where I didn’t go out of high school and I didn’t want to play.
"I love coach (Kalen) DeBoer, I love the University of Alabama. I love the fans. I love everything about it. Hopefully in the draft whenever my name gets written on a card, they write the University of Alabama on there. It’s going to give me great pride.”
ESPN's Matt Miller predicted Simpson to land with the quarterback-needy New York Jets in April's draft. He thinks the Jets pick him in the second round.
"Simpson doesn't have a Round 1 grade on my board, and I couldn't find a single team that would give him one during conversations at the Senior Bowl," Miller wrote.
"But with four picks in the first two rounds, the Jets can afford to roll the dice on him as a second-rounder with starter upside. Simpson's lack of size and arm strength could ultimately push him down the board, but his poise and processing skills are NFL-level."
Simpson threw for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2025. He led Alabama to an appearance in the SEC championship and earned a 34-24 win over Oklahoma in the first round of the CFP.
Simpson has the tools to become a starter in the league. But it could take him a few years to develop because of his lack of experience as a starter at the college level.