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Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson announced his decision to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft in a video shared on his Instagram account Wednesday (January 7).
"Grateful for every single second. Blessed beyond measure to be able to chase my dreams. Time to roll. Roll Tide," Simpson wrote in the caption.
"It wasn't all perfect, and it didn't have to be, but every moment had meaning, and I gave Alabama my all," Simpson said in the video. "And I got so much more in return. Coach [Nick] Saban was right -- it was all worth it," he said in the video.
Simpson, 23, reportedly informed Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb of his decision to forego his senior season on Wednesday, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to ESPN.
The quarterback's father, UT-Martin head football coach Jason Simpson, told ESPN that his son received first-round grades from every NFL general manager they've spoken to.
"Nobody said second round," Jason Simpson said.
The former Alabama standout ranks behind Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza of Indiana and Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, neither of whom have declared as of Wednesday, as the third-best eligible quarterback on ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.'s board. Jason Simpson also confirmed that his son had transfer offers from other Power 4 programs, with sources having previously told ESPN that Miami, Oregon and Tennessee were interested in acquiring him.
"There were very, very lucrative opportunities to play another year of college football," Jason Simpson said.
Ty Simpson finished his lone season as Alabama's starting quarterback with 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions with a 64.5% completion percentage, all while leading Alabama to an 11-4 record and College Football Playoff berth in 2025.