Alabama Crimson Tide head football coach Kalen DeBoer backs his guy in the 2026 NFL Draft: Quarterback Ty Simpson.
That’s not necessarily breaking news, and it’s not a headline that would shock anybody. Of course, DeBoer believes that Simpson has what it takes to be a top quarterback in the NFL.
Not only did he coach Simpson last season, but Simpson’s ability or lack thereof, to be NFL-ready directly impacts DeBoer’s program. Nick Saban won recruits over with the championship rings, but he was also able to bring elite players into Tuscaloosa because they knew he would prepare them for the NFL.
So yes, DeBoer believes that Simpson is a first-round pick in this upcoming draft. Not all draft pundits would agree, and to be fair, DeBoer is biased.
He did go to bat for his quarterback, though, on a recent episode of ESPN’s “SportsCenter.”
“I definitely believe he is (a first-round talent) … he’s made so many great plays, big plays and can distribute the ball wherever he needs to down the field,” DeBoer said on Thursday (h/t On3). “(Simpson) has great football IQ, he’s a coach’s kid, he’s been around the game forever. But once he won the job, he really cut loose with the leadership qualities that he has, and it’s real, it’s genuine.”
Ty Simpson is the QB2 in the 2026 NFL Draft behind Fernando Mendoza
The knock against Simpson is that he had only one season of starting experience at Alabama. He’s also considered undersized.
Still, most seem to think he’s QB2 in this draft behind Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the likely No. 1 overall pick. The big question for Simpson as QB2 is where he goes.
The Ringer believes he’ll be selected between picks No. 25 and No. 40, which means he will be a late first or early second-round pick. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler doesn’t seem as high on him.
“He projects as a low-level NFL starter, with the ceiling of a mid-level starter and floor of a backup (reminiscent of Daniel Jones with lesser physical traits),” Brugler wrote in his draft guide, “The Beast.”
If you were to ask DeBoer, he’d certainly say that Simpson is one-of-one at the quarterback position. Of course, he is biased, though.
