Former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson divided opinion throughout the season after becoming the Crimson Tide’s QB1 following years as a backup in Tuscaloosa. For a significant stretch of the year, Simpson was viewed in many circles as the top quarterback in his class, but Alabama’s offense sputtered late in the season, and his form declined as well.
Former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is widely viewed as the undisputed No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, with Simpson projected as the second quarterback off the board.
Ty Simpson Predicted to Land With Surprising NFL Team
During Monday’s segment of the “Joel Klatt Show,” Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt mocked Simpson to the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21, citing uncertainty surrounding Aaron Rodgers’ future with the franchise.
“The Steelers — last year, we wondered if they would pick a QB early on, and they didn’t,” Klatt said. “We haven’t even had a QB taken. I really like Ty Simpson from Alabama. I’m higher on Simpson than most. You can make the argument that someone’s gonna trade up and get Ty Simpson. This guy makes all the throws. I know he’s not a huge player.
“But if you turn on the tape and watch some of the throws he makes, they are NFL throws. Anticipatory throws, he throws with great leverage on the outside. He was phenomenal for big stretches. Mike McCarthy comes in, we don’t know yet about Aaron Rodgers, what he will do. If he’s gonna come back or not, eitherway I think Simpson could be the future.”
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore was expected to be the second quarterback off the board before opting to return to Eugene for an additional season, while Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’s eligibility issues have further cleared the path for Simpson on draft night.
Meanwhile, during last week’s segment of the “Ryen Russillo Show,” analyst Todd McShay outlined the ideal destination and situation for Simpson in the NFL, while making a strong claim about the former Alabama star’s standing in the 2026 quarterback class.
“I’m looking at the Rams at picks 13 and 30,” McShay said. “I’m saying ‘I can’t think of a better situation for Ty Simpson… for a young quarterback to go and learn. You know, Patrick Mahomes had Alex Smith. To sit behind Stafford with no threat of taking his job like the Aaron Rodgers stuff.
“To sit back and learn around an offensive coach that’s amongst the best in the NFL in doing it. In 2027, let’s see where this thing is. I’m telling you, Ty Simpson games like two through nine was the best quarterback in college football. Was the best quarterback prospect.”
Simpson posted a PFSN College QB Impact score of 85.4 after throwing for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions, while adding 93 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns for the Crimson Tide last season.
