Kalen DeBoer stumps for Ty Simpson as a first-round NFL Draft pick
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Kalen DeBoer coached a first-round NFL Draft pick at quarterback at his last school, and he might have another at his current school if things go Alabama’s way later this month.
After a lone season as the Alabama starting quarterback, Simpson is looking to become the program’s first first-round passer since 2023. The worst-kept secret of this year’s draft is that Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will go first overall. Most assume Simpson is QB2 in this class, but few are in agreement about where specifically Simpson will go.
During a SportsCenter hit on Thursday, DeBoer said Simpson shouldn’t fall out of the first round.
“Just been around it long enough,” Kalen DeBoer said. “He’s made so many great plays, big plays. He can deliver the ball wherever he needs to down the field. Has great football IQ.”
DeBoer added that Simpson “cut loose” and let his leadership shine once he officially won the starting quarterback job last offseason.
“So many things that are on the field and off the field that just equate to a guy that you’d want in your program leading your team,” DeBoer said.
Simpson threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns against 5 interceptions as a starter in 2025.
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft takes place on April 23 in Pittsburgh.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
