Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer endorsed former Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson as a strong fit for the Cleveland Browns ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. DeBoer highlighted Simpson's football intelligence and performance in his lone starting season. The 6-foot-1 quarterback drew praise amid ongoing pre-draft buzz following Alabama's pro day.
Ty Simpson, who completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2025 while leading the SEC in attempts and completions, emerged as a polarizing first-round prospect after his only season as Alabama's starter. The Crimson Tide reached the College Football Playoff, where Simpson helped secure a first-round win over Oklahoma before exiting the quarterfinal against Indiana with a cracked rib injury among other ailments late in the year. His performance dipped in the final six games amid injuries, including a herniated disc and elbow bursitis, dropping his completion rate to 60.5% from 66.9% earlier. Still, his pre-snap processing, footwork and arm strength drew comparisons to Brock Purdy. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer, appearing on Cleveland's The Ken Carman Show, emphasized Simpson's growth and game management. 'He understands the game... He did a great job managing the game and making big plays for us,' DeBoer said. DeBoer noted Simpson's coaching pedigree as the son of University of Tennessee-Martin head coach Jason Simpson and predicted he would compete fiercely from day one. The Browns, holding picks at Nos. 6 and 24, face quarterback uncertainty despite contracts for Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson, the latter sidelined by Achilles tears. New coach Todd Monken shares ties with Simpson's father from Georgia and Southern Miss days. Simpson expressed respect for Monken at the NFL Combine: 'Him and my dad actually have a great relationship... a lot of respect for him and the Browns organization.' Analysts like Colin Cowherd also see fits elsewhere, such as Pittsburgh at No. 21 under Mike McCarthy, praising the stable environment behind Aaron Rodgers. Mock drafts project Simpson variously to Cleveland at 24, the Rams at 29 or Steelers at 21, though concerns linger over his 15 college starts and pass-rush handling.
