It’s been a rollercoaster season for Alabama, with many highs and many lows. After going 10-3 and reaching the College Football Playoff, it appeared that the Crimson Tide would be a one-and-done. They spotted Oklahoma a 17-0 lead, before storming back to best the Sooners 34-24. Alabama looks to get one step closer to a national championship against Indiana in the Rose Bowl. The Crimson Tide’s ups and downs in 2025 have aligned with Ty Simpson’s performance. Simpson has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in the SEC and has shown flashes of brilliance in his first season as a starter. Despite his relative lack of experience, he is one of the top signal-callers in the 2026 NFL Draft. What makes Simpson such an intriguing prospect, and does he have the tools to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL?
2026 NFL Draft: Ty Simpson Player Profile
Measurables
Height- 6-foot-2
Weight- 208 pounds
Background
Simpson was a five-star recruit coming out of Westview (Tennessee) and the fourth-ranked quarterback in the Class of 2022. He committed to play for Nick Saban at Alabama, but would have to wait a while to be the starter. Simpson redshirted the 2022 season with Bryce Young returning. He remained a backup the next two seasons behind Jalen Milroe, seeing minimal action through three years in Tuscaloosa. Simpson completed 29 of 50 attempts for 381 yards and added three rushing touchdowns in the brief action he saw during his first three seasons.
With Milroe off to the NFL, Simpson won the starting job entering 2025 and never looked back. In 14 starts, he has completed 64.1% of his passes for 3,500 yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions. While Simpson has certainly proven himself as one of the top signal-callers in the nation, his 2025 season has been inconsistent. Through his first nine games, he threw 21 touchdowns to just one interception. In the next four games, he had just five touchdown passes to four picks. Simpson appears to have righted the ship following a strong performance against an elite Sooners defense to open the College Football Playoff.
Strengths
For a player with only one season starting under his belt, Simpson is impressively poised. His pocket awareness is incredible, routinely evading pressure while keeping his eyes downfield. Simpson displays an advanced football IQ, working through progressions well and rarely getting stuck on his initial read. He is good enough as a scrambler, where he can beat defenses with his legs when there’s open grass. Simpson is at his best on third and fourth downs, having a knack for extending drives. His intermediate accuracy is exceptional, as he can make NFL-caliber throws in tight windows up the middle. Simpson’s accuracy is mostly good, and his completion percentage is lowered by several drops by wide receivers.
Weaknesses
The biggest concern for Simpson is his size, measuring in at just 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds. He can add some weight to his frame to better withstand hits at the next level. His physical traits aren’t elite, with his arm strength being fine but not amazing. The lack of top-end arm strength is evident in his deep accuracy, which leaves a lot to be desired. While Simpson is a capable runner, he isn’t going to be one of the top dual-threat QBs at the next level. Simpson’s performance under pressure is inconsistent, with him showing his best and worst at times in a muddy pocket.
Overview
Simpson is a fascinating prospect, being a potential first-round pick with just one season of starting. His pocket awareness, accuracy, and ability to work through progressions give him a high floor as a solid starter. The lack of elite physical tools and his smaller frame raise questions about his NFL ceiling. His game is similar to C.J. Stroud’s, both mainly winning from the pocket with impressive intermediate accuracy and good enough scrambling ability. Simpson may decide to return to Alabama in 2026, but he will likely be a first-round pick if he chooses to go pro this April. Some good fits for Simpson are the Rams and Steelers, both looking for long-term replacements for their aging starters.
Main Photo: [Nelson Chenault] – Imagn Images