Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has emerged as the closest challenger to Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza to be the first prospect at his position off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft. Simpson’s draft stock has been a focal point of discussion throughout the pre-draft cycle, as scouts weigh his elite production against his limited experience in one of the lightest quarterback classes in recent memory.
On the other hand, the 2027 NFL Draft class is being hailed as one of the richest in quarterback talent in a decade. That group will likely be headlined by Texas Longhorns standout Arch Manning, who recently chose to return to Austin for his redshirt junior season despite being projected as a potential top-10 pick had he declared this year.
Ty Simpson Details Close Arch Manning Relationship
During Friday’s segment of the “See Ball, Get Ball” podcast, Simpson detailed his close relationship with Manning. The two have helped each other prepare for games throughout their collegiate careers, despite playing for rival powerhouse programs in the SEC.
“Me and Arch have been friends for a long time,” Simpson said. “It started with David Morris; he introduced us to each other and we’ve kept in touch ever since through recruiting and playing. It’s really just a great resource to have because we debrief on how the week went and how the game went.”
Simpson noted that the two often trade scouting reports when facing common opponents. “We help each other. I’ll say, ‘Hey, I’m playing Oklahoma and you played them a few weeks ago,’ so we talk about things to get ready for. This year, especially, our friendship got closer because we were going through some of the same struggles of being ‘The Man’ at these big programs.”
Manning and Simpson are both alumni of the Manning Passing Academy, which is organized by Arch’s grandfather, Archie, and uncles, Eli and Peyton. Despite the Longhorns joining the SEC in 2024, the two friends have never faced off on the field; Texas and Alabama have not appeared on each other’s regular-season schedules over the past two seasons.
Manning enters the 2026 season with massive Heisman Trophy hype after a sophomore campaign in which he threw for 3,163 yards and 26 touchdowns while leading Texas to a 10-3 record and a Citrus Bowl victory. His decision to return to Texas was reportedly fueled by a desire to win a national title and further develop under Steve Sarkisian.
Statistically, both players enter the professional conversation with elite resumes. Last season, Manning earned a PFSN College QB Impact score of 83.1, totaling 36 combined touchdowns. Simpson, meanwhile, posted a score of 85.4 after leading the Crimson Tide to an 11-4 record, registering 3,567 passing yards and 28 scores against just five interceptions.
