Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson has been lambasted by both fans and analysts for both his and the Crimson Tide’s poor offensive form in the past few weeks. After entering the game against the Oklahoma Sooners, ranked No. 4, and losing last month, the Crimson Tide’s offense has limped into the College Football Playoff.
Ahead of the No. 9 Crimson Tide’s trip to Norman on Friday to clash against the No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners, Simpson is under intense scrutiny as he seeks to lead Alabama to a win against what has become their bogey team.
Analyst Reveals Ty Simpson’s Future Dilemma
Simpson, who ranks 25th in PFSN’s QB Impact, has struggled in games against the Sooners, Auburn Tigers, and in the SEC championship game blowout loss against the Georgia Bulldogs.
During Thursday’s segment of the “McShay Show,” analyst Todd McShay speculated that Simpson’s future at Alabama and in college football could hinge on whether Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer, who has been linked to the Michigan Wolverines job, stays or leaves.
“I’m giving you the information that I’ve been getting,” McShay said. “It’s the stability or lack thereof of what’s going on at Alabama. ‘If I do come back, is it the same coaching staff? And if it isn’t, is there a chance that Keelon Russell ends up being the guy that everyone wants, even if I’m the starter?’
“There’s an element of, ‘What am I even coming back to? Do I just transfer if I decide not to go (to the NFL)?’ Heisman frontrunner just six weeks ago. These are the things that I’m hearing.”
Entering the transfer portal is not Simpson’s only choice, as the Bama quarterback could declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, where he is mocked as a first-round pick by ESPN’s draft expert Matt Miller.
Kirk Herbstreit Weighs In on Simpson’s Future
Simpson has limited experience in college football (13 starts), having been a backup for three years at Alabama before being handed the reins this season. During an appearance at a Raising Cane’s event in Nashville this week, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit weighed in on Simpson’s dilemma of whether to stay in college football or declare for the NFL Draft.
“Ty Simpson at Alabama, there are people saying he should go (to the 2026 NFL draft),” Herbstreit said. “I think Ty Simpson needs to come back another year of being a quarterback at Alabama. Dealing with that pressure of being that quarterback, and then, next year at this time, ‘boy, Ty Simpson.’ What a great player he could potentially be.”
Despite his lethargic finish to the season, Simpson tallied 3,268 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while adding 98 rushing yards and two touchdowns for the Crimson Tide.
