Whether it was intentional or unintentional, Ty Simpson ended his collegiate career the same way he started it: with a giant middle finger to his homestate Tennessee Volunteers. And you'll have to forgive this Alabama fan for wanting to believe it was intentional with every fiber of his being.
Simpson, a 5-star QB from the state of Tennessee, spurned the Vols during his recruitment process to join hated rival Alabama. After three years of biding his time, he got his chance as the Crimson Tide's starter in 2025. That included a 37-20 win over Tennessee in the Third Saturday in October that concluded with Simpson puffing a victory cigar.
Following the conclusion of the season, despite how many times Simpson had spoken about what playing for Alabama meant to him and how he wanted to be remembered as a Tide QB, desperate Vols fans talked themselves into the possibility of Simpson coming home for one last hurrah at the college level.
Tennessee reportedly offered Simpson as much as $4 million in an attempt to change his mind after he declared for the NFL Draft last week. That offer was reportedly dwarfed by Miami's $6.5 million offer. And Simpson took his time before officially making his decision, perhaps causing Tennessee to wait it out in hopes of a miracle.
But 1998 was a long time ago, and there won't be any miracles in Knoxville.
NEW: #Alabama QB Ty Simpson officially signs paperwork to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, per sources.
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) January 13, 2026
Simpson declared last week but received lofty offers from schools to transfer, per multiple reports.
🔗 https://t.co/iqSiLMyXku pic.twitter.com/GeZZd9iQDE
Ty Simpson spurns Tennessee a 2nd time, officially declares of the NFL Draft
The thought of Simpson in that gaudy orange is enough to make any Alabama fan sick to their stomach. The thought of him playing college football anywhere but in Tuscaloosa was bad enough, but crossing rivalry lines would have destroyed the legacy he leaves the Capstone with.
Instead, Simpson further wrote his name in crimson flame.
Because now Tennessee is even further behind the 8-ball at QB for next season. With Joey Aguilar unlikely to get a waiver to play in 2026, the Vols may be left with no choice but to hand the keys to their offense over to true freshman Faizon Brandon, who, while talented, will find that playing in the SEC is much different than playing in high school, no matter how similar Josh Heupel's offense may be.
No matter what Tennessee fans or coaches wanted to believe, Simpson was never going to end up in Knoxville.
He has too much Bama in him.