Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson faces a significant decision in his college football career. After putting up impressive stats this past season and leading his team to the College Football Playoff, he can now enter the transfer portal or choose the NFL Draft.
Simpson entering the portal would be surprising, although it will remain open through Jan. 16 for him to make that decision. However, the NFL Draft has been enticing for young players as they see if they can achieve their dream of playing professionally.
While there have been surprising success stories taken later in the NFL Draft at quarterback, Simpson’s projected draft position probably wouldn’t be as high as he might like it to be.
During a recent episode of “The Dynasty” podcast, Alabama’s three-time national champion quarterback A.J. McCarron shared his thoughts on Simpson’s college career and future. He didn’t hesitate to offer some serious advice to the Crimson Tide star as he weighs his decisions.
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“I think Ty’s gotta come back,” McCarron said on the podcast, adding, “I think if he enters, he’s a seventh-round…maybe five-to-seven.”
“I think he has no choice but to come back. If he asked me for advice, I’d say, ‘Brother, you gotta come back,'” he suggested.
“You gotta show that you can sustain success and keep playing at the same level all year long or get better as the year goes on, but I think he needs another year,” McCarron indicated.
Simpson recorded 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns along with five interceptions in his junior season. Alabama finished 11-4 overall and 7-4 in the SEC, earning a spot in the CFP.
They went to Norman, Oklahoma, and upset the Sooners in a first-round matchup before getting blown out 38-3 by the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers, led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, in the quarterfinals.
Simpson had a subpar performance of just 67 passing yards on 12-of-16 completions and left the game in the third quarter with a cracked rib injury.
Ahead of next season, Kalen DeBoer is still the coach of the Crimson Tide. There were rumors before the CFP that he might take the job at Michigan after the program fired Sherrone Moore, but the Wolverines ultimately hired Utah Utes coach Kyle Whittingham.
With that, DeBoer seems committed to trying his best to lead Alabama to success, but is following in the footsteps of the great Nick Saban, who set a very high standard at the program.
Meanwhile, Simpson is looking to follow in the footsteps of standout quarterbacks with the Crimson Tide, including Bryce Young, Tua Tagovailoa, and A.J. McCarron, who led the team to back-to-back championships in 2011 and 2012.
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