The Alabama Crimson Tide are still reeling from a lopsided 38-3 loss to top-ranked Indiana in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, bringing a sudden end to their season. Amid the disappointment, starting quarterback Ty Simpson now stands at a critical crossroads in his football career.
In his debut season as Alabama’s full-time starter, Simpson delivered an impressive performance. He threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns against only five interceptions, while completing 64.5% of his attempts. His leadership helped guide the Crimson Tide to an 11-4 overall record, a berth in the SEC Championship Game, and a first-round playoff victory against eighth-seeded Oklahoma.
Given these accomplishments, Simpson has several attractive paths available as he weighs his future.
One possibility is entering the 2026 NFL Draft to begin his professional career. Only weeks ago, scouts viewed him as a likely first-round selection, though his draft stock dipped slightly following late-season defeats to Georgia and Indiana.
Another option would be returning to Tuscaloosa for one more college campaign, aiming to capture the elusive national title that slipped away this year. However, growing chatter among some Alabama supporters suggests that highly touted freshman Keelon Russell, a five-star recruit, should begin receiving more opportunities with the first-team offense.
A third route involves entering the transfer portal to join a different program with strong College Football Playoff aspirations.
According to 247Sports insider Tom Loy, Simpson might consider the portal if he does not receive a projected first-round draft grade, potentially drawing interest from programs like Tennessee and Oregon.
Should Simpson choose to transfer, financial incentives could play a major role in his decision. On3 analyst Andy Staples noted that quarterbacks with Simpson’s resume could command substantial Name, Image, and Likeness deals at a new school.
“An experienced, successful college QB playing at a major power conference program should expect at least $2 million,” Staples wrote. “But a top-shelf QB who took a team to the SEC title game and the College Football Playoff — despite his team having little to no run game — probably would command at least $2.5 million and possibly significantly more.“
“Depending on how many bidders might be in the market, that figure could push toward $4 million.”
Such an amount would position Simpson just behind Texas Tech’s recent transfer acquisition, Brendan Sorsby, who reportedly secured a $5 million NIL package with the Red Raiders.
Currently, On3’s NIL valuation places Simpson 19th among all college athletes at $2.1 million. If Staples’ assessment holds true, the 23-year-old quarterback could nearly double—or potentially exceed—his current earnings by moving to a different program.
Staples further highlighted that even if Simpson lands in the early second round of the 2026 draft—a projection shared by several experts—his rookie NFL contract would likely fall in the $2 million to $2.3 million range for the first year. This comparison suggests that remaining in college via the transfer portal could prove financially advantageous in the short term.
As the offseason unfolds, Simpson’s choice will carry implications not only for his bank account and professional trajectory but also for the landscape of college football’s quarterback market. Programs in need of proven signal-callers will watch closely, ready to extend lucrative offers if he becomes available.
Whatever direction he selects, Simpson’s strong 2025 campaign has ensured that he will have no shortage of suitors, whether in the NFL war rooms or among the nation’s top collegiate programs seeking an immediate impact starter.
