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The NFL draft conversation is already heating up around college football's top quarterbacks.
But Ty Simpson says his own plans for draft night are still up in the air.
The Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback recently revealed that he has not yet received an invitation to attend the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, even though several analysts rank him among the best passers in the class.
Simpson shared the update during an appearance on Up & Adams with Kay Adams. When the topic of draft night came up, the Alabama quarterback sounded hopeful but realistic.
"If I get invited, I'd love to go," Simpson said during the interview. "I would love to do that."
He added that if the invitation never arrives, he will likely watch the event back home in Martin, Tennessee.
A breakout season that elevated Simpson's draft profile
Simpson enters the draft cycle coming off the strongest season of his college career with Alabama.
In the 2025 season, he completed 64.5 percent of his passes while throwing for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions. Those numbers helped guide Alabama to an 11-4 record and a spot in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
The performance quickly caught the attention of draft analysts.
According to rankings from ESPN analyst Jordan Reid, Simpson is currently considered the No. 2 quarterback prospect in the 2026 draft class. The only passer ranked ahead of him is Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers.
That kind of evaluation typically places a player firmly in the first-round conversation, which is why Simpson's current draft-night uncertainty has generated some curiosity around the league.
Draft projections continue to connect Simpson with QB-needy teams
As draft projections begin to circulate, Simpson's name has already been tied to several teams searching for stability at quarterback.
The Cleveland Browns have surfaced in early speculation involving the Alabama passer. At the same time, ESPN draft analyst Field Yates recently predicted a possible scenario involving the Arizona Cardinals.
Yates suggested the Cardinals could attempt to move up into the first round to select Simpson.
The idea stems partly from Arizona's shifting quarterback situation following the reported release of Kyler Murray. The team also added veteran Gardner Minshew on a one-year deal, which analysts often view as a temporary bridge option while franchises search for a long-term starter.
Simpson's combination of production, size and decision-making has made him an appealing option for teams evaluating future quarterbacks.
Still, some evaluators point out that he has only one full season as Alabama's starting quarterback, something NFL front offices sometimes weigh carefully during the draft process.
The draft picture is still taking shape
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh this April, and the list of invited prospects may continue to evolve as teams finalize their evaluations.
For Simpson, the focus remains on preparing for the next step in his career rather than worrying about where he will watch the draft.
Whether he ends up sitting in the green room in Pittsburgh or following the event from Tennessee, his name is firmly part of the quarterback conversation as the draft approaches.
This article is based on Ty Simpson's interview on Up & Adams, publicly available Alabama 2025 season statistics, and draft analysis from ESPN analysts Jordan Reid and Field Yates. Information was cross-checked with publicly available draft projections and college football records.