Tag: Alabama

Alabama’s Ty Simpson didn’t wish to ‘tarnish’ legacy by transferring

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson stands behind his decision to enter the 2026 NFL Draft as opposed to playing for another school.

“The last thing I wanted to do was tarnish my legacy and go somewhere else where I didn’t go out of high school and I didn’t want to play,” Simpson said Wednesday, per AL.com. “… Hopefully in the draft whenever my name gets written on a card, they write the University of Alabama on there. It’s going to give me great pride.”

Simpson declared for the 2026 NFL Draft on Jan. 7. He reportedly fielded offers between $4 million and $6.5 million from Miami, Ole Miss and Tennessee.

A projected 2026 first-round pick, Simpson led the Crimson Tide to the CFP quarterfinals in 2025 in his first season as a starter. The redshirt junior took over after three years in a backup role when Jalen Milroe decided to head for the NFL because it was time to “chase my dreams.”

Field Level Media rates Simpson as a top-two quarterback along with Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.

Simpson passed for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions in 15 games in 2025. He finished 41st nationally with his 145.2 passer-efficiency rating and did not rank among the top 10 Heisman Trophy vote-getters.

–Field Level Media

Alabama QB Ty Simpson consulted Nick Saban about lucrative portal offers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson consulted former Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban when deciding whether to enter the NFL Draft, stay at Alabama or take one of the many lucrative offers being thrown his way to transfer.

Simpson told On3 he consulted Saban after Alabama’s Jan. 1 playoff loss to Indiana, with Saban advising Simpson to ask himself what he’d do if money weren’t a factor in the decision.

Simpson declared for the 2026 NFL draft on Jan. 7 and submitted the appropriate paperwork on Tuesday, despite reportedly fielding offers between $4 million and $6.5 million from Miami, Ole Miss and Tennessee.

Although he told On3 he weighed all of his options, he stood firm in his decision to enter the draft rather than transfer to another school.

“I just couldn’t do it because of everything I stood for and what Alabama had meant to me and the legacy that I built there,” he said. “Everybody would just remember me as the guy who took all this money and went to Miami or Tennessee for his last year. But I was a captain. I put my hand and footprints in the cement at Denny Chimes.”

One of Simpson’s agents, Peter Webb, confirmed the reasons behind Simpson’s decision to The Athletic on Wednesday, saying, “In a time where kids transfer for more money at every possible turn and make it a transactional decision based on finances, Ty is a unicorn and took the road less traveled. What started at low-to-mid seven-figure proposals quickly looked like we could maybe even approach eight figures at the finish line.

“But Ty ultimately wanted to chase his dreams of playing in the NFL and make sure the last college jersey he ever wore had the iconic Alabama Crimson Tide logo.”

Simpson posted “Been a great ride” on Instagram on Tuesday with a photo of his Crimson Tide locker.

A projected 2026 first-round pick, Simpson led the Crimson Tide to the CFP quarterfinals in 2025 in his first season as a starter. The redshirt junior took over after three years in a backup role when Jalen Milroe decided to head for the NFL because it was time to “chase my dreams.”

Field Level Media rates Simpson as a top-three quarterback along with Oregon’s Dante Moore and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. All three would likely be in the mix in the top 20 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

If Simpson gets drafted 20th overall, for example, he would be in line for a four-year contract worth $18-21 million fully guaranteed. As the No. 10 pick, Simpson would make a projected $26-29 million guaranteed, highlighted by a $16 million signing bonus.

Simpson passed for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions in 15 games in 2025. He finished 41st nationally with his 145.2 passer-efficiency rating and did not rank among the top 10 Heisman Trophy vote-getters.

–Field Level Media

Reports: Alabama QB Ty Simpson spurns $6.5M offer, enters NFL draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has submitted paperwork to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, according to multiple reports on Tuesday, one day ahead of the deadline for underclassmen to do so.

This followed reports on Monday that multiple college programs attempted to entice Simpson with top-dollar offers to transfer and delay his decision to enter the draft.

Simpson, who declared for the NFL draft on Jan. 7, had not entered the transfer portal but did accept an invitation to the Senior Bowl. He posted “Been a great ride” on Instagram on Tuesday with a photo of his Crimson Tide locker.

BamaOnline was first to report the completed paperwork on Tuesday.

Multiple reports on Monday claimed Simpson had a $6.5 million offer on the table from Miami along with $4 million offers from Ole Miss and Tennessee if he would stay in college for the 2026 season. USA Today reported Simpson was offered $4 million by Miami, but “within minutes” the Hurricanes increased the payout.

Miami signed Georgia transfer Carson Beck to lead the Hurricanes in 2025. With an appearance in the national championship game on deck, the Hurricanes don’t have a 2026 starter locked in but they have earned $20 million for their College Football Playoff run.

Beck reportedly made $4 million in NIL and approximately $10 million total — through agreements with brands such as Beats by Dre, Chipotle, Airstar Charter — after leaving Georgia.

A projected 2026 first-round pick, Simpson led the Crimson Tide to the CFP quarterfinals in 2025 in his first season as a starter. The redshirt junior took over after three years in a backup role when Jalen Milroe decided to head for the NFL because it was time to “chase my dreams.”

Field Level Media rates Simpson as a top-three quarterback along with Oregon’s Dante Moore and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. All three would likely be in the mix in the top 20 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

If Simpson gets drafted 20th overall, for example, he would be in line for a four-year contract worth $18-21 million fully guaranteed. As the No. 10 pick, Simpson would make a projected $26-29 million guaranteed highlighted by a $16 million signing bonus.

Simpson passed for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions in 15 games in 2025. He finished 41st nationally with his 145.2 passer-efficiency rating and did not rank among the top 10 Heisman Trophy vote-getters.

–Field Level Media

Reports: Miami throws $6.5M offer at draft-bound QB Ty Simpson

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Multiple programs are attempting to entice Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with top-dollar offers to delay his decision to enter the NFL draft, according to multiple reports.

The Tuscaloosa News reported Simpson, who declared for the 2026 NFL Draft last week, has not yet filed his paperwork to officially enter the draft but did accept an invitation to the Senior Bowl. As of Monday afternoon, Simpson had not entered the college football transfer portal.

Multiple reports claim Simpson has a $6.5 million offer on the table from Miami, and both Ole Miss and Tennessee put up $4 million offers for the 2026 season. USA Today reported Simpson was offered $4 million by Miami but “within minutes” the Hurricanes increased the payout.

Miami signed transfer Carson Beck to lead the Hurricanes in 2025. With an appearance in the national championship game on deck, the Hurricanes don’t have a 2026 starter locked in but will make $20 million for their playoff showing.

Beck reportedly made $4 million in NIL and approximately $10 million total — through agreements with brands such as Beats by Dre, Chipotle, Airstar Charter — since leaving Georgia.

A projected 2026 first-round pick, Simpson led the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff in his first season as a starter in 2025. The redshirt junior took over after three years in a backup role when Jalen Milroe decided to head for the NFL because it was time to “chase my dreams.”

Field Level Media rates Simpson as a top three quarterback along with Oregon’s Dante Moore and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. All three would likely be in the mix in the top 20 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

If Simpson is drafted 20th overall, for example, he would be in line for a four-year contract worth $18 million-$21 million fully guaranteed. As the No. 10 pick, Simpson would make a projected $26 million-$29 million guaranteed with a signing bonus of $16 million.

Simpson passed for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions in 15 games in 2025.

–Field Level Media

Michigan RB Justice Haynes enters transfer portal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan running back Justice Haynes announced Friday that he is entering the transfer portal and will play one more season of college football.

Haynes played in just seven games for the Wolverines in his lone season at the school due to a right foot injury. He rushed for 857 yards and 10 touchdowns and averaged a stellar 7.1 yards per carry.

Haynes rushed for more than 100 rushing yards six times before the injury.

“After reflection, prayer and heartfelt conversations with my family, I’ve made the decision to close my chapter at the University of Michigan,” Haynes said in his announcement posted to social media.

Haynes is rumored to be interested in transferring to Georgia Tech. It has been suggested that the Georgia native might receive $2 million to make the move.

Haynes began his college career at Alabama and spent two seasons with the Crimson Tide before leaving for Michigan after the 2024 season.

“Michigan will always be a special part of my story,” Haynes said. “I’m deeply thankful for everything this chapter has given me.”

The Wolverines have a new coach in Kyle Whittingham in the wake of Sherrone Moore’s recent dismissal due to an improper relationship.

Haynes has rushed for 1,473 yards and 19 touchdowns on 225 college carries. He also has 30 catches for 149 yards.

–Field Level Media

Alabama QB Ty Simpson enters 2026 draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Alabama quarterback and projected first-round pick Ty Simpson is entering the 2026 NFL Draft.

He made the announcement via social media with a compilation video of his football experience from a young age through the season he just wrapped up with a Rose Bowl loss against No. 1 Indiana.

“Grateful for every single second. Blessed beyond measure to be able to chase my dreams,” Simpson wrote in the video caption. “Time to roll. Roll Tide.”

Simpson led the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff in his first season as a starter in 2025. The redshirt junior took over after three years in a backup role when Jalen Milroe entered the 2025 draft.

Field Level Media rates Simpson as a top three quarterback along with Oregon’s Dante Moore and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. All three would likely be in the mix in the top 20 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Simpson passed for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions in 15 games in 2025.

–Field Level Media

Alabama QB Ty Simpson sustained cracked rib in Rose Bowl loss

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson said he cracked a rib in the first half of the Crimson Tide’s 38-3 College Football Playoff quarterfinal loss to Indiana in the Rose Bowl at Pasadena, Calif., on Thursday.

The hit came when Simpson was drilled by Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds while scrambling for a first down late in the second quarter, a run that ended in a fumble recovered by the Hoosiers.

“Felt like I had a good thing going on that drive when I got hit,” Simpson said. “It kind of changed the momentum for sure. … The competitor in me wanted to make sure I got the first down. Got more than the first down, and then should have been smart and just got down.”

Simpson said an X-ray at halftime confirmed the injury. He returned to start the second half but quickly opted to yield to backup Austin Mack after one series.

“I made an executive decision and thought (about) what gave us the best chance to win,” Simpson said. “I thought Austin being 100% could help us win.”

Simpson finished 12 of 16 for 67 yards. Mack, a sophomore, went 11 of 16 for 103 yards and led the Crimson Tide to their only points with a third-quarter field goal.

“(Simpson) went out there and tried to battle, and that’s who he is,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said. “There’s no way he let us down.”

Simpson finished his junior season completing 305 of 473 passes (64.5%) for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions while guiding Alabama to an 11-4 record.

–Field Level Media

No. 1 Indiana rolls at Rose Bowl, hands No. 9 Alabama worst bowl loss

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Fernando Mendoza threw for 192 yards and three touchdowns to lead top-seeded Indiana to a 38-3 blowout of ninth-seeded Alabama in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl on Thursday in Pasadena, Calif.

The Hoosiers advance to the semifinals and will take on fifth-seeded Oregon on Jan. 9 in the Peach Bowl.

Indiana (14-0) became the first top-four seed to win a game in the 12-team CFP, after teams with a bye went 0-6 to start the expanded playoff era, including fourth-seeded Texas Tech’s loss to Oregon earlier Thursday.

The victory was the Hoosiers’ first in a bowl since the 1991 Copper Bowl and their first-ever Rose Bowl victory.

Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner, threw more touchdowns than incompletions, going 14 of 16.

Indiana had more rushing yards (215) than the Crimson Tide had total yards (193).

The Hoosiers’ Kaelon Black rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown while Roman Hemby ran for 89 yards and a score. Both scored touchdowns early in the fourth quarter.

The bowl loss was the biggest in Alabama history. The Crimson Tide (11-4) had not lost a bowl by more than 32 points. It was also their largest loss of any kind since 1998.

Indiana controlled the game from the start, forcing Alabama to punt on its first drive before the Hoosiers engineered a 16-play drive that lasted nearly nine minutes, ending in a Nicolas Radicic 31-yard field goal.

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer then decided to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the Crimson Tide 34 moments later in the second quarter, with Isaiah Jones and Rolijah Hardy stopping Germie Bernard just short of the first-down marker.

Four plays later, Mendoza hit Charlie Becker for a 21-yard touchdown for a 10-0 lead and kept the momentum firmly on Indiana’s side.

Late in the quarter, D’Angelo Ponds delivered a big hit on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, knocking the ball out and appearing to injure Simpson. Jones recovered the ball and Mendoza led Indiana on an 11-play, 58-yard touchdown drive.

The drive ended on Mendoza’s 1-yard scoring pass to Omar Cooper in the closing seconds of the half, putting the Hoosiers up 17-0.

Simpson returned for the opening drive of the second half but after the Crimson Tide went three-and-out, and Mendoza led a nearly six-minute touchdown drive to make it 24-0, Simpson was replaced by Austin Mack.

Simpson completed 12 of 16 passes, but had just 67 yards through the air, with just two of his completions going for longer than eight yards.

Mack threw for 103 yards, going 11 of 16 in relief of Simpson.

Alabama finally got on the board late in the third quarter on Conor Talty’s 28-yard field goal.

–Field Level Media

No. 1 Indiana going against No. 9 Alabama, history in Rose Bowl

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Blue blood meets new blood when Alabama and Indiana square off in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl on Thursday in Pasadena, Calif.

Though the ninth-seeded Crimson Tide have a storied history, they are the underdogs coming in with something to prove.

The Hoosiers entered the season as the losingest program in college football history, but they assume the Goliath role as the No. 1 playoff seed and college football’s lone undefeated team, with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza in tow.

“I want to stop quarterbacks, whether they’ve won the Heisman Trophy or not,” Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said.

The Hoosiers-Crimson Tide winner will take on either No. 4 Texas Tech or No. 5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9 in Atlanta.

The Hoosiers (13-0) are not only trying to continue to break long-term precedent in continuing their best season in school history — ahead of 2024’s 11-2 mark — but also break recent precedent set last season in the first edition of the 12-team playoff.

All four first-round winners beat the top four seeds last season.

“Would I prefer to play earlier? Yeah, I probably would, to be quite honest with you,” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said. “But that’s not the case. We’re excited about playing.”

Mendoza has thrown for 229.2 yards per game, with 33 total touchdowns and just six interceptions. He also has rushed for six touchdowns.

The Crimson Tide have had plenty of success slowing down quarterbacks this season, entering with the No. 10 passing defense in FBS at 168.4 yards allowed per game.

Alabama (11-3) is coming off a 34-24 road win over Oklahoma in the first round on Dec. 19.

Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson struggled late in the season but had a bounce-back game against the Sooners. He averages 250 passing yards per game and has tallied 28 touchdowns and five interceptions.

The biggest difference in the offenses comes in the ground game, where Indiana is in the top 10 nationally with 221.2 rushing yards per game, while Alabama has struggled with just 109.9 rushing yards per game (118th).

“I look at (the Hoosiers’) skill around the offensive line, they just all complement each other,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said. “They go make plays. When the opportunities are there, they get it done.”

Indiana has been in the Rose Bowl just once before — losing to Southern California to end the 1967 season.

Alabama is in the game for the ninth time, going 5-2-1 with their most recent appearance coming in a 27-20 overtime loss to Michigan in the CFP semifinal two seasons ago. The Crimson Tide also won the 2009 national title with a win over Texas in the then-BCS Championship Game in the historic stadium.

Cignetti was Alabama’s wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator for that championship team.

While Cignetti has an appreciation for Alabama’s history, DeBoer also can recognize how far Indiana has come under Cignetti. DeBoer was the Hoosiers’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2019.

Mendoza figures to have one of his favorite targets back Thursday.

Hoosiers receiver Omar Cooper Jr., who suffered a right leg injury early in the Big Ten title game on Dec. 6, is cleared to play in the Rose Bowl. Cooper, a redshirt junior, leads Indiana with 58 catches for 804 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Alabama also figures to get a key piece back with the return of edge rusher LT Overton.

Overton, a senior, missed the Southeastern Conference championship game and the first-round win over Oklahoma due to an illness.

–Field Level Media

Alabama WR Ryan Williams rolling with Tide in 2026

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If you expected Ryan Williams to run an out route after a challenging sophomore season at Alabama, he already has changed the play to a comeback.

Williams said Tuesday during Rose Bowl media access that he never considered transferring despite facing a decline in production and 10 dropped passes in 2025.

“I had a lot of ups, people considered last year, and just learning how to deal with those,” Williams said of his first two seasons with the Crimson Tide. “And I’ve had a lot of downs, people considered this year, and I’ve learned how to deal with those. Really just an opportunity to stay human and have empathy for others, because I’ve been through some things. It’s been a blessing to go through all the ups, all the downs, all the arounds.”

After only one reception for 5 yards at Oklahoma in the first round on Dec. 19, perhaps public opinion of Williams has dropped off with his production. He has 43 receptions for 636 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games this season.

Teammates, including quarterback Ty Simpson, haven’t seen any decline in his work ethic or preparation. Simpson called Williams the “most selfless person I know” and called him vital to the Crimson Tide offense.

Williams, who averaged 18 yards per reception with 48 grabs and eight TD catches as a freshman last season, curbed talk of his potential exit from Alabama at Tuesday’s media day ahead of the Rose Bowl matchup with No. 1 Indiana on Thursday. He plans to remain in Tuscaloosa when the transfer portal opens Jan. 2.

Williams didn’t mask his excitement for potentially playing a bigger role with an opportunity to deliver a splash game for the No. 9 Crimson Tide against the Hoosiers.

“That’s something at the front of my mind: Just continue to be my best self, day in and day out, and really just maximize the opportunity when it comes,” said Williams, who turns 19 in February.

Even if a breakout game on par with his standout freshman season doesn’t happen this week for Williams, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer seems confident the fruits of hard work are going to pay off in massive ways.

“People can always say stuff, but they don’t know. When you’re there with him and you see the smile, the work, the team-first attitude that he has, you can’t help but root for him, whether it’s as a coach or whether it’s as a teammate,” DeBoer said.

“I just love the guy,” the coach continued. “The guy is super talented, and it hasn’t been the perfect year. But everyone in this room, all the players, I know that they have nothing but love and giving them the support that they have because every day when he steps on the football field, he’s trying to overcome and help us be better. And I know that’s what he’s done the last week and a half. And he’s going to have a game like he’s had at different times where he goes off, and I’m just waiting for that moment because when it is, it’s going to be awesome. And we’re all going to be super happy for him. And I know that it’s coming sooner than later.”

–Field Level Media