Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has burst onto the scene this college football season, stepping in as the Crimson Tide’s starter and leading the team to a 3-1 record and No. 11-ranking in the US LBM Coaches Poll to start the campaign.
Simpson continues his push toward a Heisman on Oct. 4, as Alabama hosts Diego Pavia and No. 17-ranked Vanderbilt.
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Simpson, raised in West Tennessee, enters the game in fine form following an upset win over Georgia on Sept. 27 in which he completed 24-of-38 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns while adding another score on the ground.
Despite an additional year of eligibility remaining, Simpson’s strong start to the season has fans considering the quarterback’s standing for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Here’s a look at where Simpson is projected ahead of the Crimson Tide’s game against Vanderbilt.
Ty Simpson NFL draft projection
While Simpson is yet to crack most early mock drafts, according to some experts Simpson is projected as a sixth-round pick. As a redshirt junior, Simpson could opt to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, or he could return to Alabama for his senior season.
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More: Vanderbilt has earned its place on the main stage at Alabama. Can it stay there? | Estes
Ty Simpson’s Alabama stats
In four games this season, Simpson has completed 88-of-127 passes for 1,138 yards and 11 touchdowns with no interceptions. Simpson has also rushed 21 times for 57 yards and two touchdowns.
Prior to being named Alabama’s starting quarterback, Simpson made 16 appearances and completed 29-of-50 passes for 381 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
More: What Nick Saban said about Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt football ahead of Alabama game
Ty Simpson Heisman odds
Simpson is widely regarded as a top candidate for the Heisman Trophy through four weeks of the college football season. Simpson has the second best odds on DraftKings (+650) and FanDuel (+950), behind Oregon’s Dante Moore. Simpson has the joint third-best odds on BetMGM (+1000) alongside Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, behind Moore and Miami’s Carson Beck.
Sep 6, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) reacts after a short-lived touchdown that was called back during the second quarter against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images
More: Vanderbilt vs Alabama storyline much different after Commodores’ 2024 upset win
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Where is Ty Simpson from?
Ty Simpson was raised in Martin, Tennessee, where he played at Westview High School. Simpson led the Chargers to a Class 2A TSSAA football state championship in 2021, the program’s lone state title. Simpson was also named Tennessee Gatorade Football Player of the Year and Class 2A Mr. Football the same season. Simpson’s dad, Jason Simpson, is the UT Martin football coach.
Ty Simpson high school stats
Simpson was a five-star recruit and the No. 26-ranked player in the nation in the 247Sports Composite. His senior season Simpson threw for 2,827 yards with 41 touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing 92 times for 862 yards and 11 touchdowns.
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As a junior Simpson led Westview to a 7-5 record, passing for 1,888 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 311 yards and seven touchdowns.
Harrison Campbell covers high school sports for The Daily Herald and The Tennessean. Email him at hcampbell@gannett.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @hccamp.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Alabama QB Ty Simpson draft projecting entering Vanderbilt football game