Ty Simpson Facing $6.5 Million Decision After Declaring for 2026 NFL Draft
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Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpsondeclared for the NFL draft, but that hasn’t stopped multiple schools from making aggressive late pushes to pull him back into the college football ranks.
According to a report from AL.com, Simpson has received a record-breaking $6.5 million offer from a program looking to land him for the 2026 season.
“Simpson, through third parties, has continued to receive offers from other Power Four programs, sources with direct knowledge of the situation tell AL.com,” reporter Nick Kelly wrote. “At least one program has offered Simpson a deal that could total $6.5 million to play in 2026, according to one source with direct knowledge.”
Added Kelly: “Three SEC schools have also presented offers of at least $4 million and more for Simpson.”
From @aldotcom sources:
Alabama QB Ty Simpson declared for the NFL Draft, but other college programs are still trying to get him to enter the transfer portal. One offered a deal that could total $6.5 million. https://t.co/cQcikZkz78
— Nick Kelly (@_NickKelly) January 11, 2026
According to Tuscaloosa News’ Colin Gay, following up on Kelly’s initial report, the Miami Hurricanes are the school submitting the $6.5 million offer to Simpson.
“According to a source close to Simpson, Miami sent the Alabama quarterback an offer to be the highest-paid player in college football at $6.5 million,” Gay wrote. “The Hurricanes’ official offer started at $4 million and quickly ballooned to $5 million within minutes before reaching the current offer.”
Simpson, who waited three full seasons before becoming Alabama’s starting quarterback this year, is ranked as the No. 3 quarterback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Crimson Tide quarterback trails only the Indiana Hoosiers’ Fernando Mendoza and the Oregon Ducks‘ Dante Moore on ESPN analyst Mel Kiper’s big board.
Simpson finished the season 305-of-473 passing for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions. He was a second-team All-SEC selection. The Tide finished 11-4, falling to the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game and the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Whether a player can still withdraw from the draft before Wednesday’s deadline remains unclear, but the pursuit of Simpson reflects the ever-shifting quarterback market in college football.
“Several teams chasing a shrinking pool of elite quarterbacks, combined with the pressure to field a CFP contender, could drive up the price for certain players who have yet to transfer and/or are considering the NFL Draft and are seen as transformative,” attorney Darren Heitner told AL.com’s Kelly. “It’s basic economics where leverage meets scarcity.”
If Simpson withdraws from the NFL draft and signs the reported Miami deal, he’d top former Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s NIL deal with the Texas Tech Red Raiders, reported by Boardroom to be worth nearly $6 million.
The official deadline for NFL prospects to declare for the 2026 draft is set for Wednesday, with Simpson having made his declaration a week in advance.
Related: Mike Elko, Texas A&M Labeled ‘Clear’ Favorite For No. 2 Ranked Transfer Portal WR
Related: Michigan, Kyle Whittingham Lose Running Back to Transfer Portal
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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