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Nick Saban lauds Ty Simpson to Rams in NFL draft: 'Perfect. Perfect. Perfect.'
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- Nick Saban lauds Ty Simpson to Rams in NFL draft: 'Perfect. Perfect. Perfect.'
Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban gave quarterback Ty Simpson a glowing review after Simpson was selected No. 13 overall by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23 .
Simpson, a first-year starter at Alabama in 2025, was recruited by Saban. Simpson waited in the wings behind Jalen Milroe and Bryce Young before taking over as the Crimson Tide 's signal-caller under second-year coach Kalen DeBoer, Saban's replacement.
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"This is the kind of player, the kind of person that you want in your organization," Saban said on ABC's NFL draft broadcast. "He's a good leader, he's a hard worker, he's got great ability, he's got a quick, smooth release. He's got a strong arm, he's accurate, he can throw the ball in short windows. I really like Ty. I think that the fact he only played 13 games - his best football is ahead of him.
"And he's getting in the best situation he can be in, going to an organization that has a veteran quarterback and he will not have to play immediately and have a chance to develop. It's perfect. Perfect. Perfect."
Simpson lands in a great situation, where he'll sit behind reigning MVP Matthew Stafford . He'll also learn from coach Sean McVay, one of the brightest offensive minds in football.
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The 6-foot-2 quarterback passed for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns to five interceptions last season while completing 64.5% of his passes. It's a bit of a surprise to see him drafted in the first half of the first round, but it's hard to not trust McVay.
The former five-star recruit is the son of longtime UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson, and his football acumen is well regarded.
"While the 6-foot-1, 211-pound Simpson lacks physical traits that set him apart, he throws with great anticipation and accuracy," USA TODAY's Nate Davis wrote of Simpson. "The son of a coach, he's also a football junkie … and one, despite his lack of game experience, who cut his teeth in practice for years against some good Alabama defenses."
Simpson won't see the field right away, but he's clearly in the Rams' future plans.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nick Saban gives glowing review of Ty Simpson to Rams: 'It's perfect'
