Ty Simpson's chances of being a first rounder may have taken a hit with NCAA decision

The 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the most interesting draft classes in recent memory at the quarterback position after hearing news that the NCAA has officially denied Ole Miss transfer QB Trinidad Chambliss' appeal to return for a sixth year of eligibility.

This big domino has the potential to affect the draft stock of Alabama QB Ty Simpson, after being expected to be the No. 3 quarterback in this year's class behind Indiana Heisman Trophy winner, Fernando Mendoza, and Oregon's Dante Moore.

For Simpson, this conundrum comes after he himself had been gaining serious consideration as a potential Heisman candidate for his electric play through the first half of Alabama's season. The first-year starter had been playing as well as any QB in the country, being among the top 10 in the nation in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and high passer efficiency ratings. This all changed around mid-October after Simpson was asked to shoulder the heaviest load of any QB in the country due to Alabama's inability to run the football.

Ty Simpson shouldered the load for a one-dimensional offense at Alabama

These factors took a toll on Simpson directly, both health-wise and production-wise, causing his stock to fall in the eyes of NFL talent evaluators. That door gave Chambliss the opportunity to bridge the gap by catching fire at the right time, as he and Ole Miss began to take the college football world by storm down the stretch. This resulted in the entire country starting to fall in love with Chambliss story in his first season leading the Rebels after transferring from Ferris State (Division II) to the big stage at Ole Miss.

Simpson and Chambliss both went on to lead their teams to the College Football Playoff, before Alabama had their championship aspirations tarnished at the hands of Indiana in the Rose Bowl last week. Despite his team's struggles offensively, Simpson still went on to lead Alabama to 11 wins, while passing for 28 touchdowns, 3,567 yards, and five interceptions, before ending his season with a fractured rib in Pasadena. Chambliss went on to lead Ole Miss to 13 wins and a trip to the Fiesta Bowl against Miami after throwing for 18 touchdowns, 3,016 yards, while adding 6 touchdowns on the ground and 470 yards before the Rebels fell to the Canes last night in the Semifinals.

This now leaves Chambliss turning his attentions to the NFL, with conversion growing that this may be enough in the minds of NFL analysts to potentially surpass Simpson's in being the 3rd QB selected. Many now are split on the two ahead of April, with many being concerned due to Simpson's recent injury and the fact that he's only started 15 games during his time in Tuscaloosa. Chambliss, on the other hand, started 16 games at Ferris State before going on to start six games at Ole Miss after replacing then Rebels starter Austin Simmons at QB mid season.

Those interesting dynamics, combined with a relatively weak NFL draft class at QB, could have both in play for first-round picks.

But Chambliss ending up in this class could complicate things for Simpson, and could potentially put one more QB ahead of him in the pecking order for April's draft. The pre-draft process will be huge for the Alabama QB to solidify himself in the first round.