Dan Orlovsky sees 'Top-10 pick' potential in Ty Simpson: 'No one is throwing it better'

In training camp, it became clear Ty Simpson would be Alabama’s starting quarterback this year. But there were some unknowns given his lack of playing time behind Jalen Milroe the last two seasons.

So far, he’s impressing at the helm of Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb’s offense. In fact, ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky thinks his potential is a high first-round selection in the NFL Draft.

Orlovsky said he sees first-round talent in Simpson, who leads the SEC in passing touchdowns. The redshirt junior shook off a rough start against Florida State and has led Alabama to a five-game win streak. But the level at which Simpson is playing excites Orlovsky and is why he thinks there’s a high ceiling.

“I see a first-round pick, and I see a Top-10 pick,” Orlovsky said on SportsCenter Tuesday evening. “No one is throwing it better than Ty Simpson right now. Just if you watch a guy throw the ball, the throws that he is making in tight windows and the confidence that he is displaying. We didn’t know much about Ty Simpson coming into this season. I have been so impressed with his aggression down the field.

“The playmaking, the athleticism is there at plenty to be a first-round pick. But his willingness to place balls into very small windows and very tight coverage confidently – and with the right pace and trajectory and placement. Throwing it, he is the best in the country right now.”

A closer look at Ty Simpson’s 2025 season

Simpson has been impressive through his six games as Alabama’s starting quarterback. In addition to his 16 touchdowns, he is completing 70.9% of his passes for 1,678 yards and has thrown just one interception. He also has two rushing touchdowns on the year, as well.

Amid the Tide’s five-game win streak, Simpson continues to emerge as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. He topped On3’s Heisman Trophy Poll this week with 66 points – 12 more than the second-highest vote-getter, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Additionally, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Simpson as the No. 3 quarterback on his initial Big Board behind Mendoza and Oregon’s Dante Moore.

In fact, since the season-opening loss to Florida State, Paul Finebaum sees Simpson emerging as a bona fide Heisman candidate. That shows the level at which he’s playing in the time since.

“I joked yesterday on our show that if you throw out the FSU game, Ty Simpson has wrapped up the Heisman,” Finebaum said on The Matt Barrie Show. “I realize you can’t throw out any game, but he has been that good, and they’re better on defense than I thought.”