The rhythm of the college football season is starting to settle in, and each week we see new names rise into the devy conversation. In Devy Deep Dive – Player of the Week, I spotlight one standout whose performance deserves a closer look—breaking down what it means for his draft stock, devy value, and long-term outlook.
This week, that spotlight shifts to Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, who has quickly become one of the most efficient and composed passers in the country. The former five-star recruit has led the Crimson Tide to a strong start, sitting tied for 4th in the Heisman odds and putting himself firmly in the early-season conversation for both the SEC title and possibly QB1 in the 2026 draft class.
With a massive matchup against undefeated Missouri on deck, Simpson has the perfect stage to continue building his Heisman résumé and solidify his standing as one of the top devy assets in college football.
Player Introduction & Context
After Alabama’s Week 1 loss to Florida State, I definitely didn’t have “Ty Simpson, Heisman Candidate” on my bingo card. But this has been the year of surprises and Simpson’s emergence might be the biggest one yet.
The redshirt junior and former five-star recruit has completely flipped Alabama’s narrative since that early stumble, leading the Crimson Tide to four straight wins, including back-to-back victories over ranked opponents. His latest performance — 23-of-31 for 340 yards and two touchdowns in a 30–14 win over previously unbeaten Vanderbilt — was another steady, composed outing from a quarterback who looks more confident every week. Simpson now leads the SEC in passing yards (1,478) while boasting 13 touchdowns to just one interception and completing over 70% of his passes.
What stands out isn’t just the production, but how he’s getting it done. Simpson has extended plays with his legs, maintained poise under pressure, and consistently delivered accurate throws to all levels of the field. His ability to improvise has added a new dimension to Alabama’s offense, something the Tide have missed since the Bryce Young era. As offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor put it, “He’s poised. He keeps us all together. He’s Heisman-level.”
That composure was on full display against Vanderbilt. Even after throwing his first interception of the season on Alabama’s opening drive, Simpson didn’t flinch. He responded by leading multiple scoring drives, showing off his mobility on scrambles, and keeping the Tide in control from start to finish. He’s not just managing the offense, he’s commanding it.
Simpson’s growth has been years in the making. He spent three seasons waiting behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe, learning the system and refining his game. Now, he’s showing exactly why he was once ranked higher than Drew Allar as a recruit. His patience is paying off, and it’s turning into results that have vaulted him into the top five of the Heisman odds (+800) heading into Week 7.
For Alabama, Simpson represents stability and upside rolled into one — a quarterback capable of winning shootouts or grinding out SEC wins when the lights are brightest. For devy managers and scouts, he’s a player whose arrow is pointing straight up. The sky’s the limit for Ty Simpson, and the college football world is finally catching up.
Film Room – What the Tape Shows 🎥
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