Alabama Football News

Mel Kiper includes 2 Alabama players in his debut 2026 NFL Draft Big Board rankings

by
Justin Smith
October 14, 2025

Sep 13, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (15) throws to Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) as Wisconsin linebacker Mason Reiger (22) applies pressure at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. included two Alabama players in his initial 2026 NFL Draft Big Board rankings.

The rankings are made up of 25 of the top NFL prospects, seven weeks into the college football season. The Tide’s starting quarterback Ty Simpson is listed at No. 16 in Kiper’s rankings. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama’s starting left tackle, comes in at No. 25.

Simpson is the No. 3 quarterback in Kiper’s rankings, behind Oregon’s Dante Moore and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. The Tennessee product has thrown for 1,678 passing yards and 16 passing touchdowns this season while only throwing one interception.

Proctor is the third offensive tackle listed. Kiper has Utah’s Spencer Fano and Miami’s Francis Mauigoa listed higher than Proctor at the moment.

These two will have an opportunity to continue to see their stock rise with some stiff competition still on the Tide’s schedule.

Justin Smith( Managing Editor, Director of Recruiting )

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.