Sep 13, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) throws the ball during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images
Ty Simpson’s play as Alabama football quarterback has generated a lot of buzz from NFL draft experts. Some consider Simpson to be the one of the best quarterbacks in the draft if not the best, and that is quite fitting when taking a look at the players that Simpson looks up to.
On Tuesday, Simpson shared a list of quarterbacks that he models his game after and why he likes the way that they play.
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“I really like Joe Burrow,” Simpson said. “Coach’s son, you know, didn’t get to play a whole lot early, like I did, and just kind of the way that he moves and plays. I really like how he does it. I think Jared Goff is one. I really like just under center, a lot of the stuff that the Lions do are stuff that we do. And then honestly, I think Baker Mayfield, a guy who would do anything to win. He’s tough and may not be the biggest guy, but he’s going to get it done any type of way. Very resilient. And so, I think those are my three, and then you can throw Matt Stafford in there as well. I really, really like the way those guys play because I see a lot of myself in them.”
All four of the athletes that Simpson named have something in common, a thing that Simpson might be in April. Every quarterback he named was a No. 1 overall draft pick in their respective classes. Simpson could be the first player off the board in the 2026 draft.
Pro Football Focus had Simpson being selected No. 1 overall by the New York Jets, a team that desperately needs to upgrade at the quarterback position.