Alabama Quarterback Ty Simpson Officially Files Paperwork to Enter NFL Draft

Reports flew over the weekend about Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, who declared for the NFL draft last week. Simpson reportedly was receiving offers north of $4 million to enter the transfer portal, with Ole Miss and Tennessee rumored to be offering the Crimson Tide's signal caller to entice him to return to school and depart Tuscaloosa for his final season of eligibility.

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AL.com reported that Simpson held an offer of $6.5 million from the Miami Hurricanes, who have had recent success with one-year rentals at quarterback after pulling Cam Ward out of the NFL draft in 2024 and Carson Beck out of the draft in 2025. Ward led the Hurricanes to a 10-2 record, while Beck has Miami slated to play in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday night. If Simpson had taken the $6.5 million offer from the Hurricanes, it would have made him the highest-paid player in college football.

Alabama fans won't have to worry about Simpson playing for another school next season, however, with Charlie Potter of BamaOnLine reporting that Simpson officially filed his paperwork to enter the 2026 NFL draft on Tuesday, with the deadline for players to declare for the draft being on Wednesday.

Simpson then shared a photo via his Instagram, expressing his gratitude for the Crimson Tide and the journey he's been on for the last four years in Tuscaloosa.

Simpson, who is currently ranked as the No. 3 quarterback on ESPN's Mel Kiper's Big Board for the 2026 draft, waited his turn behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe to be the Tide's quarterback. He competed with Milroe during the 2023 quarterback competition, but ultimately served as Milroe's backup for two seasons before getting his chance to lead the Crimson Tide.

As Alabama's starting quarterback in 2025, Simpson led the Crimson Tide to an 11-4 record, with appearances in the SEC Championship and the College Football Playoffs. Simpson led Alabama to a 34-24 victory over Oklahoma in the first round of the playoffs before falling to Indiana in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal.

In his lone season as the Tide's signal caller, Simpson completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns with five interceptions. He also contributed 93 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. His departure doesn't leave the Alabama quarterback room bare, however, with the Tide slated to go into the 2026 season with four scholarship quarterbacks:

Austin Mack (Redshirt Junior)
Keelon Russell (Redshirt Freshman)
Jett Thomalla (Four-Star Signee)
Tayden Kaawa (Three-Star Signee)

Mack and Russell were both announced to be returning to the Crimson Tide in 2026 via Yea Alabama, officially kicking off the Tide's third quarterback competition in four seasons.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.