NIL offers from rival programs weren’t enough to slow down Ty Simpson and his pursuit of an NFL future.
According to On3's Chris Low, the Alabama quarterback drew significant interest and lucrative package deal from multiple schools that viewed him as an instant starter in the transfer portal. Some of those offers reportedly beat out top quarterback deals currently reshaping the college football landscape.Still, Simpson never seriously wavered. Tennessee, Miami and Ole Miss were offering $4 million, and the Hurricanes upped it to $6.5 million.
“Miami was kind of like, ‘All right, we’re moving on,’ and then they lost out on Sam Leavitt and came back with that big number,” Simpson said. “And then Ole Miss called again and said they could match it.”
Going back to school was not an option
The former Tide star has remained focused on his long-term goal of reaching the NFL, believing that staying the course and continuing his development at the highest level would better prepare him for the next step. While NIL has altered decision-making across the sport, Simpson’s camp viewed immediate financial gain as secondary to the draft process.
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Simpson’s decision stands out in an era where quarterbacks routinely leverage breakout seasons into seven-figure college paydays. This leads to staying in college longer than expected and the potential of sliding in the draft. Sources say Simpson valued continuity and the opportunity to showcase pro-style traits more than a short-term NIL windfall.
Built and ready to play on Sundays
“I really felt good with my decision to go pro, but that amount of money to play college football again for what amounts to about eight months makes you stop and think,” Simpson said. “I remember my parents telling me that $6 million was more than they had made the whole time they had been married, but the thing they wanted most for me was to be happy.”
NFL evaluators have taken notice of that approach. Simpson’s size, arm strength and pocket command remain appealing tools, and teams are closely monitoring his progression as he positions himself for the league. He's currently noted as a top-three quarterback in the mix with Oregon's Dante Moore and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
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In a college football world increasingly driven by NIL economics, Simpson’s choice shows that, for some players, the NFL dream still outweighs even the biggest offers on the table.
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