Alabama QB Ty Simpson is one of the most coveted names in the Transfer Portal during this cycle. The problem is, Simpson isn't in the Transfer Portal.
Simpson announced last week that he would forego his final season of collegiate eligibility to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. He released an emotional video on Instagram with resolute words about his Alabama legacy: "You're either Alabama, or you're not," Simpson said.
But Simpson's decision to enter the draft hasn't stopped teams from communicating with his camp through back channels with ridiculous offers to try to lure him into the portal.
According to multiple reports, those offers have gotten as high as $6.5 million for next season. The Tuscaloosa News' Colin Gay uncovered which program made that insane offer, and it's a team that will play for the National Championship next Monday night.
Miami.
"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 writes. "The Hurricanes' official offer started at $4 million and quickly ballooned to $5 million within minutes before reaching the current offer."
The same source told Gay that both Tennessee and Ole Miss offered $4 million for Simpson.
Miami has reportedly offered Simpson $6.5 million to enter the Transfer Portal
It would be difficult to blame Simpson if he chose to take the Hurricanes up on that offer. That's a lot of money.
The deadline to withdraw from the NFL Draft is this Wednesday, January 14th. The deadline to enter the Transfer Portal is this Friday, January 16th.
Simpson is believed to be in the mix for a first-round selection in April's draft. Most believe he's the No. 3 QB in the class. behind Indiana's Fernando Mendoza and Oregon's Dante Moore. Moore has not officially declared for the draft yet.
There's a substantial difference in the amount of money Simpson stands to make depending on where he gets picked. Cam Ward signed a 4-year, $48 million contract as the No. 1 pick last year. Jaxson Dart was picked 25th overall and signed a 4-year, $16.9 million deal. That came with a signing bonus of just shy of $9 million.
If he is confident he'll be a first-rounder, remaining in the draft trumps even the godfather offer Miami has made. But if he falls out of the first round, then things change. Tyler Shough was the first QB taken in the second round a year ago at No. 40 overall. His contract was worth $10.8 million over four years with a signing bonus of around $4.5 million.
(Contract data is via Spotrac.)
Miami is looking to replicate the strategy it used last season. Former Georgia QB Carson Beck initially declared for the draft a year ago, but was lured into the portal by a major offer from the Hurricanes. He ultimately took the offer, landed in Coral Gables, and helped get Miami into the National Championship Game.
But for Simpson, his legacy at Alabama means a lot to him. While most fans would understand how difficult it is to turn down that kind of money, being remembered as an Alabama QB is what Simpson wants.
"Simpson is also pulled to having his legacy being tied to Alabama and the Crimson Tide being his alma mater in the NFL," Gay writes.