TUSCALOOSA, AL — Ty Simpson didn’t just throw on Wednesday; he attacked the script. The Alabama quarterback completed 50 of 55 passes during a high-octane Pro Day at the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility, including a 60-yard strike that brought NFL scouts to their feet. Just weeks away from the 2026 NFL Draft, Simpson is no longer just a “project” with a high ceiling. He is the definitive challenger to Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza for the top spot on the board.
While the Las Vegas Raiders seem locked in on Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza at No. 1, the race for the next signal-caller is heating up. Simpson, coming off a 3,567-yard, 28-touchdown campaign, used Wednesday to prove his arm talent matches his 2025 production. He navigated a difficult 55-throw circuit designed by QB Country’s David Morris, purposefully avoiding “easy” completions to display his 91.3 PFF clean-pocket grade.
The atmosphere in Tuscaloosa felt more like a coronation than an evaluation. Scouts from all 32 teams watched as Simpson threw with a rhythm that was missing during the Tide’s late-season slide. Despite a tough Rose Bowl loss to Mendoza’s Hoosiers earlier this year, Simpson’s stock is soaring. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky recently labeled him the best pure passer in the class, citing his ability to execute “pro-level” intermediate throws that others avoid. The New York Jets, holding the No. 2 and No. 16 picks, have already scheduled a private workout with him for this Friday.
“I just know whoever’s going to get me is going to get a guy who loves football, loves team and loves to be a part of something that’s bigger than myself. When I come into a program, I’m a program changer.”— Ty Simpson, Alabama Quarterback
The 2026 quarterback class is top-heavy, and Simpson’s decision to throw at his Pro Day after a strong Combine shows a level of confidence NFL GMs crave. He finished his final college season with a 64.5% completion rate and only five interceptions in 15 starts. His lack of career starts—just one full season as the man in Tuscaloosa—remains the only hurdle.
However, the tape speaks louder than the calendar. Simpson’s processing speed has made him a favorite for teams like the Jets and the Rams, who are looking for a Day 1 starter. If the Jets decide to pass on an edge rusher at No. 2, Simpson is the logical pivot. He has the frame at 6-foot-1 and 211 pounds and the “coach’s son” IQ to handle a complex NFL playbook immediately. The draft kicks off in Pittsburgh on April 23, and Simpson’s name likely won’t stay on the board for long.
