Alabama QB Ty Simpson Stayed Despite Depth Chart Struggles

The former five-star recruit explains why he never transferred despite rarely seeing the field in his first three seasons.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:41pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a college football quarterback's throwing motion broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, conceptually representing the challenges Simpson faced and overcame during his time at Alabama.Ty Simpson's perseverance at Alabama is a testament to the power of patience and self-belief in the face of adversity.Tuscaloosa Today

Ty Simpson, a former five-star quarterback recruit, stayed at the University of Alabama for four years despite being buried on the depth chart behind future NFL stars Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe. Simpson told Barstool Sports' Jon Gruden that he prayed about it and felt he could still accomplish his goals of winning a Heisman Trophy, national championship, and being a first-round NFL draft pick, even if it took an extra year. Simpson's perseverance paid off, as he is now projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Why it matters

Simpson's decision to remain at Alabama despite limited playing time early in his career is an inspiring story of perseverance in the age of widespread college football player transfers. His commitment to the program and belief in himself despite the obstacles he faced could serve as an example to other players struggling for playing time.

The details

After signing with Alabama as the No. 2 QB in the 2022 class, Simpson spent his first three seasons as the backup to future No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young and then dual-threat QB Jalen Milroe. Despite rarely seeing the field, throwing just 50 total passes, Simpson never considered transferring and instead stuck with the program through a coaching change after Nick Saban's retirement.

  • Simpson signed with Alabama as the No. 2 QB in the 2022 recruiting class.
  • He spent the 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons as the backup QB behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe.
  • Nick Saban retired as Alabama's head coach following the 2023 season.
  • Simpson finally got his chance to start in 2025 and is now projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The players

Ty Simpson

A former five-star quarterback recruit who stayed at Alabama for four years despite limited playing time early in his career, and is now projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Bryce Young

The former Alabama quarterback who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Jalen Milroe

The dual-threat quarterback who backed up Bryce Young and then took over as Alabama's starting QB after Young left for the NFL.

Nick Saban

The legendary Alabama head coach who retired following the 2023 season after winning seven national championships.

Kalen DeBoer

The new Alabama head coach who took over the program after Nick Saban's retirement.

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What they’re saying

“My role was as the No. 2 guy, but I was also chomping at the bit wanting to play because I felt like I could help.”

— Ty Simpson, Alabama QB

“I prayed about it, and I loved the University of Alabama, and I've always wanted to leave a legacy somewhere, and I felt that even though everything wasn't in my timeline, it was in God's timeline.”

— Ty Simpson, Alabama QB

“I could still accomplish everything I wanted to accomplish. I could still win a Heisman Trophy and a national championship, be a first-round pick. It just wasn't in the three years that I thought it (would be), it just happened in four (instead).”

— Ty Simpson, Alabama QB

What’s next

Simpson will look to solidify his status as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which will be held on April 23.

The takeaway

Ty Simpson's decision to remain at Alabama despite limited playing time early in his career demonstrates the value of perseverance and faith in one's abilities. His story serves as an inspiring example for other college athletes who may be facing similar challenges, showing that patience and hard work can pay off even when the timeline doesn't match one's initial expectations.