Ty Simpson earns lofty praise from ex-NFL coach ahead of NFL Draft

Photo comes via The Oklahoman

His lone season as a starter for the University of Alabama football program did not end with championship hardware; however, it proved his loyalty and commitment to an institution in a fickle, yet progressive NIL and transfer portal era of college football.

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Ty Simpson could have chased the money bags that Ole Miss, Miami, and Tennessee hurled at him, yet he chose the love of his teammates, coaches, fans, and his legacy at Alabama.

The son of a college coach was brought up on old school values, and those values are going to make a team in the National Football League happy to draft him. Simpson posted 3,567 passing yards and 28 touchdown passes to five interceptions in 2025. He added a pair of rushing scores to his stats sheet and put on a show at the NFL Scouting Combine.

The native Tennessean is generating authentic buzz from NFL Draft pundits to possibly be the second quarterback taken in the first round of April’s event. Simpson spent time with one of the best quarterback gurus in Jon Gruden, a former NFL head coach and 2002 Super Bowl Champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gruden sees Simpson as a ‘dawg’ of a competitor, but there is more that he likes. He referred to the former Crimson Tide signal caller as a “CEO in the film room and on the field.”

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What an awesome day with Alabama’s Ty Simpson for our 3rd QB Class of the year!

Ty is a CEO in the film room and on the field with a strong arm and quick mind. A future star right here!! pic.twitter.com/TmwgKJS1qh

— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) March 10, 2026

Two franchises need a quarterback in the middle of the first round. The New York Jets sit at No. 16 overall, while the Pittsburgh Steelers have the 21st overall selection. Simpson could be the fourth quarterback taken in the first round for Alabama – joining Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, and Bryce Young. It will be intriguing to see which program in the pros takes Simpson.

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Stephen M. Smith is a team writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.