Mike Golic Sr. lays out his concerns with Ty Simpson at the NFL level

Former NFL defensive lineman and longtime football analyst Mike Golic Sr. raised pointed questions about Ty Simpson’s readiness for the NFL. Joining The Dan Patrick Show for a recent appearance, he made his stance clear, despite the Alabama quarterback’s growing momentum in the pre-draft process.

While acknowledging Simpson’s upside, Golic centered his concerns on experience, or lack thereof, at the most important position on the field. The Crimson Tide signal caller made just 15 career starts at Alabama, something Golic believes historically limits early NFL success.

“The one good thing about Ty Simpson is, if he goes later in the first round, he’ll sit,” Golic stated. “He only had 15 starts, and it has been proven time and time again — less starts in college, less success early on in the NFL. But I have my questions about Ty Simpson.”

Alas, Simpson enters the draft cycle widely viewed as the No. 2 quarterback prospect after Dante Moore elected to return to the Oregon Ducks. During his lone season as Alabama’s starter, Simpson completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns against just five interceptions. He also added two rushing scores, showcasing his mobility outside the pocket.

That production has fueled first-round buzz, including a projection from Mel Kiper Jr., who slotted Simpson at No. 16 overall to the New York Jets in his latest mock draft. Kiper also ranks Simpson as his No. 2 quarterback overall, behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who won the Heisman and led his team to the national title, beating Alabama on the way.

Evidently, Kiper sees similarities between Simpson and another former Alabama quarterback, Mac Jones. However, he believes Simpson offers more athleticism and rushing ability. Speaking on NFL Live, Kiper explained why he believes Simpson’s draft stock remains firmly in the middle of the first round.

“This guy’s a more athletic, faster version of Mac Jones,” Kiper stated, noting Simpson’s strong start to the season, when he threw 21 touchdowns with just one interception over Alabama’s first nine games. However, Kiper also pointed to late-season struggles, including five fumbles over a seven-game stretch, as factors evaluators must weigh carefully.

Ultimately, Simpson’s evaluation appears to hinge on projection versus polish. While Golic remains cautious due to limited experience, NFL teams are clearly intrigued by Simpson’s arm talent, athletic profile and ceiling. Especially if he lands in a situation that allows him time to develop rather than forcing him onto the field immediately.

We’ll see if that’s what happens for the former Alabama star. He’s talented, but whether or not he rises to the top in the NFL is the question on everyone’s mind. 

— On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this article.