Simpson suffered a cracked rib against Indiana, exiting before the start of the third quarter as Alabama stumbled to a 38-3 Rose Bowl defeat. He has called the recovery period a “long three weeks,” but now says he is ready to train for the draft, with the NFL Scouting Combine looming.
The Alabama QB1 is embracing the timing of a full draft-cycle, including the scouting combine, Alabama Pro Day, and in-house team visits. He stresses that he is healthy and prepared to showcase what he can do, focusing on pre-snap recognition, decoding coverages, release quickness, ball placement, and overall mental processing.
From a performance perspective, Simpson’s resume is modest: 15 career starts, 3,567 passing yards, and just five interceptions in a season where his late-2025 play dipped against several high-profile opponents. His injury history includes elbow bursitis in 2025 and a lingering lower back issue, though he hasn’t disclosed lasting effects that would derail his preparations.
Analysts have tempered optimism with risk. Mel Kiper Jr. slots Simpson as the second quarterback in his mock draft, behind Fernando Mendoza, citing elite traits like accuracy and pocket awareness but warning that limited game reps—plus some late-season accuracy drops—create a significant risk for teams taking him early. His frame (6’2”, 208 pounds) and occasional issues with deep-ball touch also factor into evaluations.
With a path to the NFL far from guaranteed, Simpson’s decision to turn pro hinges on whether he can be viewed as a first-round consideration. The NIL-for-draft dynamic remains part of the conversation, as does competition from other quarterbacks, including chatter that Garrett Nussmeier could be drafted ahead of him on draft day. All eyes will be on the combine and Alabama’s Pro Day to further clarify his trajectory.
