Dan Orlovsky has been vocal about his likeness towards the former Alabama star, Ty Simpson, and has expressed his opinion on him being one of the best quarterbacks in the 2026 Draft class.
The ESPN analyst has previously spoken about how he believes the gap between Simpson and the projected no. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, is big.
Orlovsky doubled down on his take on Monday even further and labeled Simpson the best quarterback in the 2026 Draft class despite Mendoza’s Heisman Trophy honor and the National championship dub.
“I think Ty Simpson is QB1. I think Ty Simpson is the best quarterback in this class. I think when you look at the body of work and what was asked of these two quarterbacks, you have to start with the question, who needed to more to carry their football team to play well? Ty Simpson. And it’s not close between those two quarterbacks. Who took more games over throughout the course of the season? Ty Simpson. It’s not even close. And if we’re asking, like, okay, we’re trying to see what you are as player in college and what you’re going to be asked to in the NFL and what translates. I start with what do you do in moments of panic with the football? Because that’s really what separates good to great. I would tell you that Ty Simpson is more consistent in that regard,” he said.
Orlovsky further highlighted that Simpson makes more NFL caliber throws and said that it’s not close in that regard when compared to Mendoza.
Ty Simpson Opens Up About Mindset for Not Returning to College
Ty Simpson spent four seasons at Alabama and was recruited by Nick Saban himself in 2022, however, he spent more time with the program as a backup than a starter.
Simpson was appointed as the QB1 for the 2025 college football season and has only 15 starts under his belt. Hence, when he announced his decision to declare for the NFL Draft, many fans and analysts were left in shock.
There were many reports of Simpson being offered massive amounts in NIL to return to college and transfer, however, the ex-Alabama star was set in his mindset about wanting to play in the NFL:
“Everybody would just remember me as the guy who took all this money and went to Miami or Tennessee for his last year. But I was a captain. I put my hand and footprints in the cement at Denny Chimes. I would have lost everything that I built at Alabama.” Simpson told Low.
Simpson received offers worth $6.5 million from programs like Miami, Tennessee and Ole Miss.
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