Kirk Herbstreit Names His Pick For No. 1 QB In 2026 NFL Draft

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Kirk Herbstreit Names His Pick For No. 1 QB In 2026 NFL Draft

Next year’s NFL Draft quarterback crop figures to be a lot different than the one many of us expected coming into the season — and that’s just fine.

With Arch Manning, Garrett Nussmeier and Drew Allar not living up to their lofty 2025 expectations, players like Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson and Dante Moore have quickly shot up draft boards.

However, only one of them can be the No. 1 pick come April. And ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit believes the best quarterback prospect in the country resides in the SEC.

Oct 11, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) rolls out to pass during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images© Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Kirk Herbstreit names best QB prospect in 2026 class

Appearing on Pat McAfee’s show to start the week, the “College GameDay” analyst argued that his top pick at quarterback would be Alabama’s Ty Simpson.

“I would say Ty Simpson,” Herbstreit said. “He’s not sexy. He’s not going to go to the combine. He’s not going to be, ‘Look at this guy.’ But he seems to be a guy that has an ability to read, recognize coverage, process, get the ball out. He can move around just enough to be able to be dangerous, to be able to keep plays alive.”

“But we don’t have that huge 6’4”, 240-pound guy that everybody is going to say, ‘Wow, I can’t wait to watch what this guy does,’” the former Buckeye continued. “Now, these guys are probably gonna go, and people are going to be enamored, like they were with Anthony Richardson and others when they see these guys that are big and strong and can spin it.”

Mel Kiper Jr. gives his take on Simpson

In his latest 2026 Big Board rankings, longtime ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. had Ty Simpson ranked No. 5 behind Moore and Mendoza — but 16 spots ahead of the next best quarterback LaNorris Sellers.

“His lack of experience might be a concern, as Simpson didn’t start a game until this season, but the production is hard to ignore,” Kiper wrote back in October. “Simpson knows the game and competes on every down.”

“He’s a battler who is always trying to make a play — sometimes to his detriment. And Simpson maneuvers well in the pocket and can beat defenses with his legs when the passing play isn’t there.”

Simpson has put up outstanding numbers in his first year running Kalen DeBoer’s offense — throwing for 2,461 yards, 22 touchdowns and just one interception over the Tide’s first nine games.

It’s hard to imagine the junior QB1 won’t be in the thick of the Heisman Trophy race as college football’s regular season wraps up; especially if Alabama wins out and finishes the 11-1 heading into the Playoff.

This story was originally reported by The Spun on Nov 10, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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