Meet Ty Simpson – Alabama QB who could take over NY Jets after leaving $6.5m on table for first-round pick

Ty Simpson could follow Fernando Mendoza and become the second quarterback selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The former Alabama star adjusted years ago to waiting for his breakthrough moment.

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Who is Ty Simpson and how did he become a top draft QB?

The 6ft 1in and 211lb Simpson spent three seasons as a Crimson Tide backup, then led Bama to an 11-4 record and the College Football Playoffs when he finally was given the ball as a full-time starter.

“That’s what’s great and why I love rooting for Ty, is just the journey he’s been on and the way he’s been loyal to Alabama, loyal to his teammates,” Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said.

“He continued to stay and keep fighting and do it in a way where he never lowered his level of character and always kept being a great teammate, first and foremost.”

While the ‘perfect’ Mendoza has been pegged for months as the No. 1 overall pick by Tom Brady‘s Las Vegas Raiders, Simpson has bounced between the middle of the first round and the third round in recent mock drafts.

He was recently attached to the New York Jets with the No. 16 overall pick.

“This is a good range for Simpson, who has only 15 career starts but throws with accuracy, processes quickly and moves well in the pocket,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. wrote.

“He threw 28 touchdown passes in 2025 and is a first-round QB in my book.

“New York has to take some swings to figure out the long-term solution under center. I could see the Jets drafting Simpson and letting him learn and develop a little behind Smith before he moves into the starter role.”

Bama star loved watching Showtime Mahomes

Simpson completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 3,567 yards, while starting 15 games for Alabama as a junior.

He helped his draft stock at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, showcasing pro-ready accuracy and field discipline.

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getty

“Alabama is the best place to get you prepared for the NFL,” Simpson said. “I fully believe that.”

The native of Martin, Tennessee grew up admiring one of the greatest QBs of all-time and drew early inspiration from Patrick Mahomes.

“The greatest aspect for me is probably the way I extend plays and how I can beat the defense through arm angles,” Simpson told VolQuest.

“Patrick Mahomes prides himself with no-look passes and being able to throw on the run and throwing with a strong arm, right? Well not many defenses can stop that and I feel like I can do that from a high school level.”

Tim Tebow was another inspiration

The 23-year-old Simpson was born on December 21, 2002.

His father, Jason, is the head coach of college football team UT Martin.

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Simpson was named the Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year after throwing for 2,827 yards and 41 touchdowns for Westview High School, which he led to the 2A Tennessee State Championship.

The future NFL QB was recruited by the University of Tennessee from the eighth grade, yet a coaching change by the Volunteers changed Simpson’s mind.

He eventually chose main SEC rival Alabama after drawing recruiting interest from Clemson and Ole Miss.

Personal faith is a huge part of Simpson’s life.

The Bama star also grew up admiring Tim Tebow, who won two national championships and the Heisman Trophy at Florida, and spent three years in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and New York Jets.

“I loved the way that he (Tebow) played, how passionate he was and how outspoken he was about his faith. I thought that was really cool,” Simpson said on Hey Coach.

“It’s something that I want to be, now that I’m on this platform now. I want people to know, ‘Hey, I’m a Christian first and then I’m a football player.’ I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my lord and savior Jesus Christ.”

Simpson’s football talent drew interest in 2026 from top college programs including Miami, Ole Miss and Tennessee.

Despite potentially becoming a first-round draft pick, he was offered between $4m and $6.5m in NIL money to hold off on the draft and jump into the transfer portal.

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Getty

“There is no doubt in my mind that the last jersey I wanted to wear in college was the Alabama Crimson Tide jersey,” Simpson told AL.com.

“I came there. I stayed there. The last thing I wanted to do was tarnish my legacy and go somewhere else where I didn’t go out of high school and I didn’t want to play.

“I love coach DeBoer, I love the University of Alabama. I love the fans. I love everything about it. Hopefully in the draft, whenever my name gets written on a card, they write the University of Alabama on there. It’s going to give me great pride.”

David Bailey (Texas Tech), Arvell Reese (Ohio State), Carnell Tate (Ohio State) and Caleb Downs (Ohio State) are all predicted to follow Mendoza after the name of the No. 1 draft pick is called out.

One NFL team will soon add Simpson as its next quarterback.

The kid who grew up in Tennessee, then chose Alabama over the Vols and was forced to wait for his turn, is ready for the biggest spotlight of his career.

“I’m a franchise quarterback,” Simpson said.

“The Alabama locker room is as close to an NFL locker room as you can get.”

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