The Los Angeles Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Simpson was the second quarterback drafted, following Indiana's Fernando Mendoza.
Key points
Los Angeles Rams selected Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick
Simpson was the second quarterback drafted
He completed 64.5% of his passes at Alabama
Threw for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and 5 interceptions
Named Class 2A Mr. Football and Gatorade Player of the Year in 2021
Los Angeles RamsAlabama Crimson TideTy SimpsonLas Vegas Raiders
The Los Angeles Rams have selected former Alabama quarterback and Martin native Ty Simpson with the 13th overall of the first round in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-1, 211-pound Simpson was standout at Westview before going on to play for the Crimson Tide, starting all 15 games last season as Alabama reached the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, falling to eventual champion Indiana.
Simpson completed 64.5% of his passes last season, throwing for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions. He was a finalist for the Manning Award and semifinalist for both the Walter Camp and Davey O'Brien Awards.
At Westview, Simpson was named Class 2A Mr. Football and Gatorade Tennessee Player of the Year in 2021 after leading the Chargers to a TSSAA football state championship, the first in program history at the time.
Here's more on what Rams will be getting in Simpson.
Despite only one season starting at Alabama, Simpson shot up draft boards for a reason. He was quick to recognize and exploit holes in opposing defenses throughout his lone season leading the Crimson Tide and showed NFL-ready footwork. Sharp instincts and decision making paired with sound mechanics leave Simpson as a promising work in progress for the Rams.
Q&A
Why did the Los Angeles Rams choose Ty Simpson in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Rams selected Ty Simpson for his impressive college performance, including a strong season at Alabama where he completed 64.5% of his passes.
What were Ty Simpson's college statistics at Alabama?
In his last season at Alabama, Ty Simpson threw for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions.
Who was the first quarterback drafted before Ty Simpson?
Fernando Mendoza from Indiana was the first quarterback drafted, selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the first overall pick.
What awards did Ty Simpson receive during his college career?
Ty Simpson was a finalist for the Manning Award and a semifinalist for both the Walter Camp and Davey O'Brien Awards.
Related Articles
NFL
2026 NFL Draft: Amid off-field controversy, Patriots trade up for another left tackle
Patriots trade up to select Caleb Lomu, raising questions about Will Campbell amid Vrabel's off-field issues.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL
NFL Draft: By drafting Ty Simpson at No. 13, did the Rams make a huge mistake … or did they just secure their future?
Did the Rams make a mistake by drafting Ty Simpson at No. 13?
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NBA·Recap
Barnes, Barrett each score 33 as Raptors beat Cavaliers 126-104 to cut series deficit to 2-1
Raptors snap playoff losing streak to Cavaliers with 126-104 win, series 2-1
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB·Recap
DeGrom has 62nd 10-K game and Carter hits inside-the-park HR as Rangers beat Pirates 6-1
DeGrom strikes out 10 and Carter hits inside-the-park HR as Rangers win 6-1!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Why Bears' No. 25 pick in Oregon's Dillon Thieneman is steal of NFL Draft
Bears steal Dillon Thieneman at No. 25 in NFL Draft
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Instant analysis of the Eagles selecting Makai Lemon with pick No. 20
Eagles trade up to select USC's Makai Lemon at No. 20
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Cons
Limited experience remains a question mark surrounding Simpson. He doesn't have elite size or arm strength for the position and showed inconsistencies down the stretch of the season with Alabama, which may have worried some teams with such a limited sample size.
Ty Simpson highlights, NFL draft scouting report
Simpson's lack of experience has raised question marks, but he showed impressive accuracy and poise in pocket leading Alabama last season.
Scouts pointing to his accuracy, mechanics and footwork as great building blocks for the future. Simpson's decision-making also impressed scouts, able to quickly react to defenses and move the ball down the field.
Analysts have highlighted arm strength and size as potential detractors in Simpson's NFL readiness, but with sound mechanics and success at every stop, there's little wonder why Simpson was highly coveted.
Ty Simpson family
Simpson's father Jason has coached Tennessee Martin football since 2005, leading the Skyhawks to five OVC championships. His younger brother Graham will be a junior at Westview in the fall and has followed closely in Simpson's footsteps.
Graham was named Class 3A Mr. Football this past season after leading Westview to the program's second-ever state title. The Chargers defeated Gatlinburg-Pittman 62-21, as Graham set TSSAA records for most passing yards (566) and longest touchdown pass (99 yards) in a championship game, while tying the record for most passing touchdowns (7).
Graham also holds the TSSAA record for most passing yards in a regular season game with 620.
Alabama Quarterback Ty Simpson gives his younger brother Graham advice on the sidelines as the Chargers go down 13-0 in the first quarter during the TSSAA 3A Football Championship match between Alcoa versus Westview inside Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, Tenn., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
Alabama Quarterback Ty Simpson gives his younger brother Graham advice on the sidelines as the Chargers go down 13-0 in the first quarter during the TSSAA 3A Football Championship match between Alcoa versus Westview inside Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, Tenn., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
Ty Simpson high school stats
In his senior season, as Westview hoisted a gold ball, Simpson threw for 2,827 yards with 41 touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for 862 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was named The Jackson Sun's All-West Tennessee Offensive Player of the Year.
As a junior Simpson threw for 1,888 yards and 20 touchdowns on 203 attempts while rushing for 311 yards and seven touchdowns.
