Alabama Quarterback Ty Simpson Declares for 2026 NFL Draft
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, announcing his decision Wednesday after leading the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff in his first season as the full-time starter.
The 23-year-old redshirt junior completed a standout 2025 campaign, passing for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns against just five interceptions. His season culminated in a trip to the Rose Bowl, where Alabama fell to top-ranked Indiana. Simpson's performance helped steer the team to an 11-4 record despite a season-opening loss to Florida State, a resilience he highlighted as the season's defining trait.
"Just how resilient these guys were," Simpson said after the Rose Bowl. "Starting off losing the first game... all the doubt, all the scrutiny we all took, how we all came together."
Simpson's path to the draft was one of patience. A highly-touted recruit in the 2022 class, he spent his first three seasons in Tuscaloosa as a backup behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe, learning under legendary coach Nick Saban for two of those years.
Draft Projection and Context
Simpson is the third Alabama underclassman to declare this week, joining offensive linemen Parker Brailsford and Kadyn Proctor. On the draft board, he is currently viewed as a top-tier prospect. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper ranks him as the draft's third-best quarterback, behind Oregon's Dante Moore and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza of Indiana—both of whom are projected to be the first two players selected.
His declaration adds another significant name to a quarterback class that is expected to heavily influence the top of the first round. Scouts will now evaluate Simpson's promising single season of tape, his proven leadership in a high-pressure program, and his physical tools during the pre-draft process.
