Alabama's Ty Simpson didn't wish to 'tarnish' legacy by transferring

Field Level Media|published: Sat 31st January, 13:57 2026

Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) passes against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson stands behind his decision to enter the 2026 NFL Draft as opposed to playing for another school.

"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," Simpson said Wednesday, per AL.com. "... 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."

Simpson declared for the 2026 NFL Draft on Jan. 7. He reportedly fielded offers between $4 million and $6.5 million from Miami, Ole Miss and Tennessee.

A projected 2026 first-round pick, Simpson led the Crimson Tide to the CFP quarterfinals in 2025 in his first season as a starter. The redshirt junior took over after three years in a backup role when Jalen Milroe decided to head for the NFL because it was time to "chase my dreams."

Field Level Media rates Simpson as a top-two quarterback along with Indiana's Fernando Mendoza.

Simpson passed for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions in 15 games in 2025. He finished 41st nationally with his 145.2 passer-efficiency rating and did not rank among the top 10 Heisman Trophy vote-getters.

--Field Level Media

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