SAC.Ty Simpson Made His Choice — And the Internet Exploded: Why Alabama’s Quarterback Deserves Respect as He Heads to the NFL Draft

he decision is made. The path is chosen. And suddenly, everyone has an opinion.

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has officially confirmed that he is leaving Tuscaloosa to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, and within minutes, social media lit up — not with celebration, but with criticism, doubt, and second-guessing. For a player who has done everything “the right way,” the reaction has been jarring.

But maybe the most striking part of this story isn’t Simpson’s decision at all.

It’s the fact that so many people who have never taken a snap of college football seem convinced they know what’s best for a young man who has played the game his entire life.

Ty Simpson didn’t wake up one morning and flip a coin.

This decision came after years of work, patience, loyalty, and consultation — with coaches, draft experts, and his own family. According to Simpson’s father, Ty received first-round grades from every NFL general manager they contacted. Not “potential.” Not “maybe.” First-round.

And yet, the criticism keeps coming.

What many critics conveniently ignore is that Simpson is currently rated as the third-best quarterback in the entire 2026 NFL Draft class, trailing only Oregon’s Dante Moore and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. That’s not hype — that’s professional evaluation.

So why the outrage?

Perhaps because Simpson’s story doesn’t fit the impatient narrative modern college football fans have grown used to.

Ty Simpson stayed.

He stayed at Alabama when it would have been easier to leave. He stayed while playing behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe, two quarterbacks who would have driven many players straight into the transfer portal. He waited his turn. He worked. He developed. And through it all, he carried himself with class.

In an era where loyalty is often fleeting, Simpson chose patience.

That patience is part of what makes his exit sting for some fans — but it’s also what makes his departure earned.

When Simpson released his farewell video, it wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t bitter. It wasn’t defensive. It was heartfelt, grounded, and deeply respectful.

“I chose Alabama then, and I’d do it a thousand times over,” Simpson said. “There’s no brand like the Tide, no journey like the one I’m on now.”

Those aren’t the words of someone running away.

They’re the words of someone closing a chapter with gratitude.

He spoke about four years of grinding, of growing up, of prayer. About resisting the temptation to find an easier path. About understanding that Alabama football isn’t just a program — it’s a responsibility.

“It’s not a choice to go to Alabama,” he said. “You are just Alabama or you are not.”

That line alone explains why Simpson’s story matters.

He didn’t treat Alabama as a stepping stone. He treated it as home.

He thanked the people he met along the way. He acknowledged the meaning in every moment. And he made one thing clear: he gave Alabama his all.

Then came the line that hit many fans hardest.

“Coach Saban was right,” Simpson said. “It was all worth it.”

That wasn’t just a goodbye. That was a validation of the journey — the wins, the losses, the waiting, the pressure. It was a young man saying he has no regrets.

And yet, instead of appreciation, Simpson has been met with backlash.

Some argue he should have stayed longer. Others question his readiness. A few insist he’s making a mistake — as if their opinions outweigh those of NFL general managers who have spent decades evaluating talent.

The irony is hard to miss.

Ty Simpson has been evaluated at the highest level. He has done his homework. He has honored his commitment. And now, when he chooses to take the next step, he’s being criticized for having the courage to move forward.

What gets lost in all the noise is this simple truth: Ty Simpson represented the University of Alabama with class.

He was respectful in victory. He was composed in defeat. He stayed loyal when it would have been easier not to. He waited his turn. And when it was time to leave, he did so with gratitude instead of bitterness.

That’s not entitlement. That’s maturity.

College football often talks about building men, not just athletes. By that standard, Alabama succeeded with Ty Simpson.

He leaves Tuscaloosa not as a controversial figure, but as a young man who honored the program, honored the process, and honored himself.

You don’t have to agree with his decision.

But you should respect it.

Because if patience, loyalty, faith, and hard work don’t earn a player the right to choose his future, then what does?

As Ty Simpson exits the Capstone and turns his eyes toward the NFL, one thing is clear: he’s not running from Alabama — he’s carrying it with him.

And for that, he deserves class on the way out — not criticism.

The draft will decide the rest.