Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson was one of 15 QBs invited to the NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis ahead of the draft. Since the end of the season, Simpson’s draft stock has shifted constantly as several prospects have battled for the QB2 honors in the class of 2026, which is headlined by former Indiana star Fernando Mendoza.
Former Alabama QB Ty Simpson’s Red Flag Revealed
Simpson is vying to be the second quarterback off the board despite making just 15 starts in his college football career, which was largely spent as a backup in Tuscaloosa until last season.
During Wednesday’s segment of the “Jim Rome Show,” The Athletic’s draft analyst Dane Brugler weighed in on Simpson’s draft stock, while detailing the factor that might work against the quarterback on draft night.
“He’s difficult because we’re talking about a one-year starter and that’s usually a red flag,” Brugler said. “It’s hard to define one-year starters. Go back the last 15 years, quarterbacks that have less than 20 starts in college, there’s not a lot of track record there. So, Ty Simpson, it’s an uphill climb for him to show that he is the exception to the rule.
“That’s why the combine is so important for Ty Simpson. First, the weigh-ins, just to see how big he is. The medicals are big, he ended the season kind of banged up. And then, the on-field testing, just to see him throw the football.”
RELATED: CFB Transfer Portal Tracker
Simpson took over from Jalen Milroe as the Crimson Tide’s QB1 last season and tallied 3,567 passing yards, resulting in 28 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, while adding 93 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. He earned a PFSN College QB Impact score of 85.4.
Analyst Backs Simpson’s First-Round Grade
During Monday’s segment of the “Rich Eisen Show,” NFL Network analyst Tom Pelissero addressed Simpson’s apparent draft slide and revealed the NFL franchise that is likely to take a punt on him on draft night.
“The second QB going into this is clearly Ty Simpson from Alabama,” Pelissero said. “Not seeing Ty Simpson’s name in a lot of those mock drafts. I would be surprised if Simpson doesn’t go in the first round. I don’t think he gets out of round one. Because there are too many teams that need a QB. There’s tape of Simpson doing a lot of things that NFL QBs do.
“In terms of under center, running play action, turning his back to the line of scrimmage. The way last season ended was not ideal for Simpson. He also was sick the back half of last season, he lost a bunch of weight. He has a skillset and a knowledge of offense that is gonna serve him well.”
Simpson was one of the best quarterbacks in college football for most of last season and even received Heisman Trophy shouts before tailing off as the Crimson Tide’s form faltered towards the end of the season, accounting for his polarizing draft stock.
