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- College Football. Alabama QB Ty Simpson says he still hasn't been invited to the 2026 NFL Draft
A quiet moment on a football talk show brought a glimpse into the roots of a rising quarterback's mindset.
The key revelation: Ty Simpson said former college star Tim Tebow was his childhood hero and a major influence on the way he approaches football and life.
During an appearance on the "Up & Adams Show" hosted by Kay Adams, the Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback explained how watching Tebow as a kid helped shape both his playing style and personal values.
Simpson said he admired the way Tebow played with toughness and purpose during his legendary career with the Florida Gators. Tebow's physical approach to the position and his outspoken faith made a strong impression on the young quarterback growing up in Tennessee.
"I really enjoyed watching Tim when I was a kid. I really enjoyed what he stood for," Simpson said.
"I think he made a difference. That's kind of my morals and what I wanted to do at Alabama, make a difference and leave it better than where I left it."
The influence went beyond watching games on television. Simpson said one of the most meaningful moments of his career came when he finally met Tebow in person while the former Heisman Trophy winner was working as an analyst for the SEC Network's SEC Nation.
According to Simpson, the encounter happened during an event at Missouri.
Speaking with someone he once idolized left a lasting impression.
"Tim was there with SEC Nation at Missouri," Simpson said. "He was just my childhood hero. Being able to see him and him telling me that he enjoys watching me play and really loves what I represent, that meant a lot to me."
Simpson also revealed that his jersey choice was directly tied to Tebow's legacy. The Alabama quarterback wears No. 15, the same number Tebow famously wore during his time at Florida.
"I wore 15 because of him," Simpson said. "The grit that he played with, the toughness, that's kind of what I bring to the table."
A long road from the sidelines to the NFL spotlight
As a five-star recruit out of Westview High School in Tennessee, Simpson has played as a dual threat, guiding his team to a 2A state championship. He arrived in Tuscaloosa as one of the nation's most highly touted young quarterbacks.
But a crowded Alabama depth chart delayed Simpson's opportunity to start. He spent three seasons mostly behind future NFL talent before finally earning the starting job for the 2025 season.
Even then, it took time to showcase the full range of his abilities, culminating in a year where he completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just five interceptions, leading Alabama to an 114 record and a College Football Playoff appearance.
While Simpson's arm talent and leadership have drawn praise, his path to this moment also reflects patience, something that aligns with the kind of work ethic he admired in Tebow.
Analysts note that despite only one year of full-time starting experience, he carries traits pro evaluators covet: accuracy, intermediate-range throws, and the ability to extend plays when necessary.
That perseverance was tested off the field as well. In early 2026, Simpson was courted with substantial NIL money from several major programs, offers reportedly reaching as high as $6.5 million, to transfer and play elsewhere for one final college season.
After discussing his options with former coach Nick Saban and weighing both legacy and monetary temptation, Simpson chose instead to declare for the draft. "Everybody would just remember me as the guy who took all this money and went to Miami or Tennessee for his last year," he said.
That choice reinforces how Simpson views his tenure in college not just as preparation for the NFL, but as a statement of character, something he hopes will set the tone for the next chapter of his career.