Los Angeles Rams rookie quarterback Ty Simpson spoke out about feeling like a "redneck" in Los Angeles.
When the Los Angeles Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the move brought a mixed reaction.
Some fans and media members loved the fit for the Rams. Simpson will provide the franchise with a potential long-term option under center after Matthew Stafford retires. However, there were others who felt like the team made a mistake.
Last season, Los Angeles was just one win away from the Super Bowl. There were many who wanted to see the Rams focus on drafting talent at positions of immediate need.
Regardless of the feedback from fans, the team is happy with the Simpson selection. Los Angeles feels that it might have the quarterback of the future.
Simpson recently spoke out about feeling like a "redneck" in Los Angeles.
“Well, I said that because I’m a kid from rural west Tennessee, in Martin, who grew up on just hunting and fishing, and wearing boots and jeans, and then coming to L.A., having a different lifestyle,” Simpson said.
“Also, I went to Alabama, which is about as redneck as it gets, and then coming to L.A. was like a culture shock. I feel like I’m fitting in pretty good, but I still believe that I’m a redneck in L.A.”
Heading from Alabama to Los Angeles would certainly be a shock. Everything is different, but the young quarterback is focusing his attention on football.
During the 2025 college football season with the Crimson Tide, Simpson played well. It was his first year as a starting quarterback in college and he lived up to the hype.
Throughout the course of the year, Simpson completed 64.5 percent of his pass attempts for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also ran for 93 yards and two more touchdowns.
There are still questions about Simpson due to his lack of college experience. However, the production he showed off in 2025 was enough to convince the Rams to take him at No. 13 overall.
It will be interesting to see how the selection pays off long-term. Simpson will be feeling some pressure to develop into the heir apparent to Stafford, but he certainly has the talent to live up to that expectation.
