Ty Simpson Explains Why He Turned Down Millions in CFB Transfer Portal, Declared for NFL Draft

Ty Simpson had the chance to make NFL money at the college level had he entered the transfer portal and joined a new team for the 2026 campaign, but the Alabama standout opted to keep his name in the draft.

For Simpson, it came down to what he wanted his legacy to be.

"There is no doubt in my mind that the last jersey I wanted to wear in college was the Alabama Crimson Tide jersey," Simpson told AL.com's Nick Kelly. "I came there. I stayed there. The last thing I wanted to do was tarnish my legacy and go somewhere else where I didn't go out of high school and I didn't want to play. I love coach DeBoer, I love the University of Alabama. I love the fans. I love everything about it. Hopefully in the draft whenever my name gets written on a card, they write the University of Alabama on there. It's going to give me great pride."

After the 2025 season with the Crimson Tide ended, Simpson verbally declared for the NFL draft. Despite stating his intention to head to the pros, teams tried to get him to transfer by offering him lucrative deals. He reportedly received a $6.5 million offer from Miami and $4 million offers from Ole Miss and Tennessee.

To put those deals in perspective, Simpson would have to be drafted seventh overall or higher to earn $6.5 million or more in his rookie season, per Spotrac.

Simpson is a rare breed in today's college football landscape, considering he waited three years at Alabama before eventually earning the starting gig in 2025.

Simpson is considered to be the No. 30 overall player and the third-best quarterback in this year's draft class by Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department. In the latest mock draft from B/R, Simpson is projected to go to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have the No. 21 pick.