Ty Simpson’s Next Chapter: Resiliency, Accuracy, and the Questions That Define a Quarterback
When Ty Simpson walked off the field at the Rose Bowl, it wasn’t just the end of a game - it was the end of a chapter. Alabama’s quarterback, battered and bruised from a long season and a rib injury that sidelined him mid-game, stood in front of his locker, facing the music after a humbling 38-3 loss to eventual national champion Indiana in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
The questions came quickly - about the injury, about freshman Austin Mack stepping in, about the Crimson Tide offense sputtering in the biggest game of the year. But when asked what he’d remember most about this Alabama team, Simpson paused.
The answer wasn’t about stats or accolades. It was about something deeper.
“Never been on a team that’s been as close as we were,” Simpson said.
That closeness, that bond - forged in the fire of a season that started with a loss to Florida State and ended in Pasadena - became the heartbeat of Alabama’s 2025 campaign. A team counted out early found its way to the College Football Playoff.
That underdog mentality? Simpson embodied it all year.
And now, as he sets his sights on the 2026 NFL Draft, that same resiliency is part of what makes him one of the more intriguing quarterback prospects in the class.
What Simpson Brings to the Table
1. Accuracy That Goes Beyond the Box Score
At first glance, Simpson’s 64.5% completion rate doesn’t scream elite. It ranked seventh in the SEC - solid, but not spectacular. But peel back the layers, and you’ll find a quarterback who’s far more accurate than the raw numbers suggest.
According to Pro Football Focus, Simpson’s adjusted completion percentage - which filters out drops, throwaways, and passes thrown while being hit - jumps to 75.3%. That puts him right in the mix with some of the most efficient passers in the country, just behind Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia.
Simpson’s strength lies in the short-to-intermediate game. He anticipates routes well, hits receivers in stride, and sets up yards after the catch. He’s the kind of quarterback who can keep the chains moving, methodically dissecting defenses with rhythm and timing.
The deep ball? That’s where the cracks show.
Simpson completed just 41.9% of his passes beyond 20 yards and threw three interceptions on those attempts. There were underthrows, overthrows - the kind of misses that stall drives and flip field position.
But it’s also worth noting the context: he was under siege all season. Alabama’s offensive line gave up 32 sacks and allowed 164 pressures, per PFF.
That’s a lot of heat for any quarterback to handle, let alone one trying to push the ball downfield.
Still, when Simpson had time - when the pocket was clean - he was surgical. That’s not just encouraging. That’s NFL-caliber.
2. Command and Composure
One of the most NFL-ready aspects of Simpson’s game is his presence at the line of scrimmage. He looks the part of a pro quarterback - scanning defenses, changing protections, getting his offense into the right play.
“We give him full rein to get to what he needs to get to,” Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said during the season. “He has a high football IQ. We don’t ever want him taking a snap that he’s not comfortable with.”
That trust was earned. Even before he was named the starting quarterback and a team captain, Simpson was already part of Alabama’s leadership council.
He wasn’t just a guy under center - he was the guy. The one holding teammates accountable, setting the tone in the huddle and the locker room.
Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who previously worked with Geno Smith in Seattle, saw a similar fire in Simpson.
“He’s a pretty fiery guy,” Grubb said. “I told Ty, that’s what you’ve got to be - a guy who can have composure and realize there’s different times and release points.
If you score a touchdown and want to go crazy, go crazy. But up until then, you’ve got to just be a smooth operator.”
That balance - intensity and poise - is what NFL teams are looking for. Simpson has it.
The Concerns That Follow
1. The Pressure Problem
In a clean pocket, Simpson is lights out. Nearly 70% completion rate. 24 of his 28 touchdowns came with time to throw. But when the walls close in, the numbers drop - and fast.
Under pressure, Simpson completed less than 50% of his passes and averaged under six yards per attempt. That’s a steep decline, and it raises questions about how he’ll handle NFL-level pass rushes, where clean pockets are a luxury, not a guarantee.
It’s not just about mechanics - it’s about decision-making. Can he stay calm, keep his eyes downfield, and make the right read when the blitz is coming? That’s something NFL teams will want to see more of.
2. Limited Game Experience
Simpson’s college résumé doesn’t have the volume you typically see from top-tier quarterback prospects. Over four years, he logged just 1,106 snaps, the second-fewest among ESPN’s top 10 quarterbacks in the 2026 class. Only Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss played less.
Compare that to players like Mendoza, Drew Allar (Penn State), Carson Beck (Miami), Cade Klubnik (Clemson), and Pavia - all of whom have over 2,000 snaps - and you start to see the gap in live reps.
Even Mac Jones, who famously started for just one full season at Alabama, had more experience than Simpson when he entered the draft.
If Simpson hears his name called in the first round - and that’s very much in play - he’ll be the least experienced first-round quarterback since Anthony Richardson, who had 973 career snaps at Florida.
That doesn’t mean Simpson can’t succeed. But it does mean he’ll need time, reps, and the right situation to grow.
What Separates Simpson
There are questions - no doubt. About the deep ball.
About how he handles pressure. About whether he’s ready for the jump in competition.
But Simpson has never been afraid of questions. He’s faced them all year. And that’s where he thrives.
“Being able to prove everybody wrong, have a little adversity, is what we want,” Simpson said before the Rose Bowl. “Being backed in the corner, most people kind of sit down and don’t fight.
These guys, this team, are fighters. We’re going to do everything we can to fight and claw and get out.”
That’s who Ty Simpson is - a fighter. A leader. A quarterback with enough talent, toughness, and intelligence to earn a shot at the next level.
He may not be the flashiest name in the 2026 draft class. But don’t be surprised if, a few years from now, we’re talking about Simpson as one of the more steady, reliable starters to come out of this group.
Because when the lights are brightest and the odds are stacked, that’s when Simpson has always shown up.