Alabama’s Rose Bowl loss ended Ty Simpson’s first season in a starting role on a terrible note. He was forced out of the game due to an injury in the third quarter. Since then, questions surrounded whether he’d return for another year of college ball or test the waters in the draft. After considering his options for five days, Bama’s quarterback has finally made his decision.

Simpson announced today that he is declaring for the NFL draft in an emotional message. Recapping his beautiful journey at Tuscaloosa, he said, “It was all worth it.”

“There’s no brotherhood like Alabama football, and there’s no brand like The Tide,” he penned. “Four years of grinding, growing up, and a whole lot of prayer to the man above and learning. I’m proud to be a part of this legacy, to have chosen my feet, to have learned that you can’t be anybody but yourself, and to strive to be the best version of yourself every single day. I’ll cherish all of it as I take the next step in preparing for the NFL Draft.”

Growing up as a coach’s kid, Ty Simpson knew that the gridiron is no easy place. From a young age, he saw his dad, Jason, coach kids hard on the field. Over time, that pastime turned into a passion—a dream that he would soon come to fruition at Tuscaloosa.

At just the tender age of eight, young Simpson knew he wanted to be a quarterback. As he fondly watched his dad’s team, the UT Martin Skyhawks, Simpson admired Bama in the SEC trenches, one day wanting to play for the same program. He was always aware of the pains and toils the rugged game demanded. Whether spending time at his dad’s locker room or hanging out with the legendary Peyton Manning in the press box, Simpson chose the gridiron above all else. But his journey to Tuscaloosa and his rise as the star quarterback remained far from easy.

When Simpson, accompanied by his mom, Julie, arrived in Alabama (official visit), the Tide’s first impression couldn’t have been worse. They fell flat against LSU in a 41-46 loss, with Julie quietly wondering what lay ahead. While home-state Tennessee was in strong pursuit, Ty chose Alabama. And later on, he would pick the Tide again and again.

As a former five-star recruit, he committed to Nick Saban’s Alabama in Feb 2021. But staring down at a stacked QB room that did not require his talents tested his patience. After sitting out as a backup, he became restless. He wanted to leave. The transfer portal tempted him next door, yet he stayed.

“If you want to create value for yourself and you want to be a first-round draft pick, this could be a great story for you,” he shared, quoting Nick Saban on Bussin’ With the Boys. “You could leave a legacy here.”

Eventually, he would. But at that time, Saban’s words, along with a stacked roster brimming with NFL talent, put his transfer plans on hold. But soon after his conversation with Nick Saban, the legend retired, weighing heavily on him.

“I’m sitting there, and I’m like, he just lied to me.” Yet, he remained committed to Alabama. Eventually, his patience bore fruit as he won the starting role in the fall of 2025. Having taken his first step as QB1 made for a beautiful experience, but the journey down the road was no less than a brutal grind.

The uphill climb and beyond

After competing with Keelon Russell and Austin Mack, Ty Simpson won the QB gig. However, the season-opener loss against the Florida State Seminoles would attempt to shake his locker room leadership. The unexpected defeat was a gut punch that left Alabama knee-deep in criticism. As a leader, Ty took the whole blame, putting a chip on his shoulder.

“I didn’t play very good, and I feel like I cost us a lot of points in the game,” he stated.

Using that defeat as fuel for upcoming matchups, Simpson led Alabama to a 10-2 record. Although the SEC title game loss to Georgia was disappointing, Alabama was still in the playoffs. It was Bama’s chance at winning their next national championship, and for Simpson, it was about cementing his legacy. They entered the Rose Bowl after beating Oklahoma, but the Indiana Hoosiers put up a robust competition.

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Having entered the stadium as the underdogs, Bama was locked in to emerge victorious. But Simpson suffered a brutal hit in the first half, fracturing his ribs. He did return to the field early in the third quarter. But head coach Kalen DeBoer made the final call and benched him for the rest of the game.

As Simpson handed over the QB1 duties to Austin Mack, he left the field with tears in his eyes as the high stakes threatened their national championship hopes. Eventually, the Tide fell to a brutal 3-38.

In the 2025 season, he recorded 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also totaled two scores on the ground.

His last chapter may have concluded on a painful note. But the future will be filled with possibilities. According to ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Ty Simpson is the third-best quarterback eligible for the draft.