Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) during warmups prior to the CFP 1st Round Game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family OK Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Alabama football quarterback and 2026 NFL Draft prospect Ty Simpson is trending in a good direction for April’s draft.
Simpson is getting prepared to start his NFL career after one season as the starting quarterback at the University of Alabama. Many feel he is one of the best quarterback prospects in this year’s draft.
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Dan Orlovsky, a football analyst for ESPN, created major buzz when he said Simpson is the best quarterback in this draft class on ESPN’s Get Up.
“I think Ty Simpson is QB1,” Orlovsky said on ESPN’s Get Up. “I think Ty Simpson is the best quarterback in this class.”
Schefter was asked what he is hearing about Simpson’s draft status by Pat McAfee as a guest on “the Pat McAfee Show.”
“The one thing I can say confidently right now, you talk to different offices, is I believe— and it’s not going on a limb— Ty Simpson will be a first-round draft pick,” Schefter said. “That’s all I’m comfortable saying right now. We will revisit this topic many times as the draft marches closer. We’re one month out exactly. The draft is one month from today. And again, I think that’ll probably be one of the central focal storylines of the first round of the draft. Where does Ty Simpson go? All I feel comfortable saying right now is I’m confident he’ll be a first-round pick.”
ESPN analyst says Ty Simpson is the ‘best quarterback’ in the 2026 NFL Draft
Simpson will have another shot at impressing NFL teams before the draft at the Crimson Tide’s Pro Day on Wednesday.
Justin Smith is the Managing Editor and Lead Writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine with over 10 years of writing experience & expertise. Smith has consistently delivered high quality, extensively researched information on the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide football team that fans can trust. Smith is official credentialed media with the University of Alabama under Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He is also the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Enterprises, specializing in scouting and analyzing high school recruits around the nation, specifically focusing on recruits within the state of Alabama.