Friday Feature #17: Ty Simpson
Alabama were not a popular pick for the College Football Playoff after their humbling in the SEC Championship Game, but proved their worth with a road win in Norman over the Oklahoma Sooners. Their season was ended abruptly, however, with a one-sided beating at the hands of the Indiana ‘Fighting Cignettis’. That turned out to be Ty Simpson’s final game as a college QB, as he has now declared for the 2026 NFL draft with that single year of experience as a starter. Check out my detailed scouting report on Simpson below:
Background & Measurables
Name: Ty Simpson
Year: Redshirt Junior
Size: 6’2, 208 pounds
Position/Scheme Fit: Quick Game QB in a Multiple offense
Former 5-star recruit out of Martin, Tennessee, where his Dad, Jason, is a college football coach. He signed with the Crimson Tide back in 2022 and has had to be patient, waiting his turn to start. He was the #4 QB in the nation coming out of Westview HS, according to 247 Sports and signed with Alabama over Clemson, Ole Miss and Tennessee after being recruited by Bill O'Brien. He played in 4 games as a true freshman, completing 4 passes for 35 yards. In 2023, he was elevated to primary backup and saw more action in 6 games, completing 11 of his 20 pass attempts for 179 yards and adding 2 TDs on the ground.
He served as the backup role once again in 2024, playing behind Jalen Milroe, and saw action in 6 games with a similar stat line as the year prior. He earned the starting job midway through fall camp and was selected as one of the Crimson Tide's permanent team captains for the 2025 season. He was tabbed to the Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List, recognising the nation's top upperclassman quarterback and was named a Shrine Bowl 1000 watchlist member. That hype looked foolish after a wobbly Week 1, but Simpson stepped up for Alabama, and was 305-of-473 passing (64.5%) for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also led in the SEC in completions and was second in the SEC in touchdown passes and passing yards, and has now declared for the NFL draft.
Detailed Scouting Report
Strengths
1. Can be quite surgical when given time in the pocket. Accuracy overall on short and intermediate throws looks very good, and he throws a very catchable pass, despite not being helped by his receivers (30 drops on the year). His role at the NFL level would likely be as a high completion percentage, quick game passer, with some mobility upside.
2. Good mobility to escape pressure. Comfortable moving outside the pocket and really light on his feet to stay upright and deliver passes with a quick release to avoid disaster plays. Steps up well and keeps his eyes downfield to avoid outside rushes.
3. Comfortable throwing on the move. Has shown some touch to layer passes over the 2nd level, even when on the move, showing some nuance in his touch and arm velocity. When it's working, Simpson is an enjoyable watch, who plays with excellent rhythm and timing.
4. Overall, his mechanics are consistent. Quick on his drops and sinks his back foot effectively to deliver the ball efficiently and on time, especially effective on in-breaking routes. Decisive when he hits the back of his drops, without much wasted movement, when his confidence is up.
5. Looked more and more comfortable each week in the Crimson Tide offense. Hard to believe he is a first-year starter with some of the maturity and composure in big moments. Executed highlight-reel throws vs South Carolina and Oklahoma in big-time moments and has some room for growth.
Development Points
1. Accuracy takes a massive hit once he's pressured. Really felt it against FSU and Indiana, and balls were sinking on him away too often. His whole process looked way too sped up, and he drifts at times on film, getting too deep in his drop, affecting the velocity in his throws.
2. Not the strongest arm in the class. Awkward mechanics at times when throwing outside the numbers lead to flutter balls occasionally. Some of his throws don't have the velocity to take the DB out of the equation.
3. Has some really bizarre decisions on tape. Only had 5 picks this year, but has had 17 turnover-worthy plays. He had quite a bit of turnover luck in the Georgia game, which is arguably his most impressive win. He will need to stay on the right side of the turnover line, as his overall skillset is not top-of-the-draft impressive.
4. Doesn't really go through his progressions as well as you'd expect in that offense consistently. Too often, he goes to one, 2 max on his reads, and then tries to spin out of the pocket on a scramble drill, hoping receivers spring free. Needs to stick in there a bit more often and keep his footwork tethered to the throw.
5. Physically, he won't hit a lot of the desired measurables at the QB position. Gets passes batted down at an above-average rate (10 this year), and some of his decisions could be down to a lack of height to see over the rush. Also, durability could be a concern for him at that size and weight.
Conclusion
Simpson won the Alabama starting QB job during Fall camp and hasn't looked back. He had a setback in Week 1 vs FSU, along with his Crimson Tide teammates, but has largely bounced back, notching up several notable SEC wins and leading Alabama to the CFP Quarter Final. He is accurate to the level of surgical, when in rhythm, but does struggle when pressured and has some truly bizarre throws on film, which will be converted into turnovers at the next level more often. He could have done with more seasoning, but he has declared and will almost certainly hear his name called on Day 1. He will need the right situation to be successful at the next level, in my view.
Grade: 6.6/9.0 (2nd-3rd round grade)
Player Comp: J.J. McCarthy
Team Fits: Dolphins, Rams, 49ers, Packers, Steelers