Former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has remained one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2026 draft class. In many quarters, the former Crimson Tide star is tabbed as the second quarterback off the board on draft night after ex-Indiana Hoosiers standout Fernando Mendoza.
The 2026 draft class’s QB2 has ignited intense debate in a pool that is historically lightweight on quarterback talent.
Fox Sports Analyst Joel Klatt Reveals Ty Simpson Experience Concern
During an appearance on the “Up & Adams” show on Tuesday, Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt revealed his concern with Simpson’s truncated college football career, which had only 15 starts for the Crimson Tide.
“I think it’s the second quarterback storyline,” Klatt said. “Ty Simpson, if he is that guy, and I do believe that he is, where does he go? How high does he go? It’s not great (Simpson’s limited starts), it’s the thing that I’m most concerned about him. I’m not concerned about his size, he puts great film out there.
“The blueprint is so clear. If you take a look at QBs who have won a Super Bowl and average out how long their college career actually was, the least experienced college QB was Tom Brady and Sam Darnold. They had starts that totalled into the 20s. On average, guys that win Super Bowls average at least 30 games. Simpson doesn’t have that.”
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Simpson spent three years as a backup in Tuscaloosa before finally succeeding Jalen Milroe as the program’s QB1 and leading the Crimson Tide to an SEC championship game and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
ESPN Analyst Dan Orlovsky Makes Huge Simpson Proclamation
During Tuesday’s segment of the “Get Up” show, ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky made a huge comparison between Simpson, Fernando Mendoza, and San Francisco 49ers star Brock Purdy.
“I still believe it’s not that wide,” Orlovsky said. “I truly believe that if Ty Simpson was six foot four, he would be going number two to the New York Jets. Or if he had 23 college football starts and the body of work looked like it did. You watch that young man play, middle of November, he’s a top-five pick in a lot of people’s eyes.
“You’re watching a guy that’s lethal down the field, with the deep in routes, the crossing routes, the rhythmic timing. He’s very much so Brock Purdy, he’s not gonna wow you with the physical traits, but surgical when it comes to throwing the football.”
Simpson earned a PFSN College QB Impact score of 85.4 after tallying 3,567 passing yards, resulting in 28 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, while adding 93 rushing yards and 2 scores for the Crimson Tide last season.
