There haven't been many who have more ardently supported Alabama QB Ty Simpson than Todd McShay. The NFL Draft analyst has been singing Simpson's praises for weeks, pegging him as the best QB in college football and saying it's not even close.
But not everyone is buying the hype of Simpson as a legitimate NFL Draft prospect. McShay didn't have to go far to find someone who disagrees with him. His co-host on the "McShay Show," Stephen Muench, argued against Simpson as one of the top quarterbacks in this draft cycle in a recent clip.
"Are you kidding me with Ty Simpson at 3?" Muench asked McShay about his placement of Simpson on his board. "If only we had an example of a junior quarterback at Alabama taking over as the starter, waiting his time, and having a monster season. If only we had that example in recent history. Oh wait, we do! Mac Jones."
Muench's argument is ridiculous for multiple reasons. First, what's wrong with Mac Jones? The former Alabama QB was drafted 15th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft and went on to have a Pro Bowl season as a rookie with the New England Patriots. Coaching staff turmoil stunted his development, but he's been playing well for the 49ers this season in relief of the injured Brock Purdy.
Secondly, while Simpson has talent around him, it pales in comparison to what Jones was working with in 2020 at Alabama. Jones had a Heisman Trophy-winning WR, a Doak Walker-winning RB, and the Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line. Simpson has considerable talent at WR, but there's no elite RB and certainly not an elite offensive line working in front of him. Their situations couldn't be more different.
This is also an entirely new system and entirely new coaching staff, so comparing Simpson to a former Alabama QB is, frankly, a lazy take.
Todd McShay remains extremely high on Ty Simpson
McShay didn't let Muench's pushback impact his assessment. McShay knows what he's seen on tape, and he's making some bold declarations about how good Simpson has looked this season.
"Ty Simpson plays the game at such a higher level than Mac Jones ever did and ever will," McShay said.
Muench railed against that, citing Simpson's lack of starts as a reason to be concerned. That's not outlandish; there's a threshold of starts that some believe college quarterbacks need to get to in order to find NFL success. Even if Alabama wins the National Championship this season, Simpson is only going to be at 16 or 17 starts, below the 30+ number that scouts like to see.
McShay is unfazed.
"You're not wrong with your premise," McShay told Muench. "But you're wrong. I'm telling you I haven't seen tape like this since (Joe) Burrow."