Is Ty Simpson the dark horse we should be paying more attention to in the race for the Heisman Trophy? According to Joel Klatt, the Alabama quarterback's impressive skills might just warrant serious consideration for this coveted award. Klatt provocatively stated on "The Next Round," "If Ty Simpson’s name were Ty Manning, we wouldn’t even wait to hold the Heisman Trophy ceremony at the end of the season; we’d just hand it to him right now." He emphasizes that as a pure passer, Simpson stands out in the college football landscape.
Currently, although Simpson isn’t leading the Heisman race, he sits among the top contenders. At DraftKings Sportsbook, he has the third-best odds with a +700, trailing behind Carson Beck from Miami at +650 and Dante Moore from Oregon, who is at +600. Interestingly, when we look at the stats, Simpson has demonstrated superior performance in several key areas. For instance, as of Week 6, he averages a remarkable 295.6 passing yards per game, outpacing both Beck and Moore, both of whom clock in around 242 yards per game. While it’s true that Moore has one additional touchdown (14) compared to Simpson's 13, the Alabama quarterback boasts a higher yards-per-attempt rating at 9.4.
Klatt goes further by praising Simpson for his on-field presence beyond the statistics. He noted, "Simpson’s incredible. While reviewing game tapes, I particularly took notice of Alabama's performance against Wisconsin. There were numerous moments where I paused the film, thinking, ‘Wow, that looked like a throw from a top-three draft pick.’ It was remarkable."
What’s particularly striking about Simpson's performance is his ability to make high-risk throws rather than playing it safe with short passes. He is recognized as one of the highest-graded quarterbacks by Pro Football Focus for his intermediate and deep throws. In fact, with 525 yards in intermediate throws, he ranks fifth in the FBS and first in the SEC, showcasing his versatility and impact on games. Additionally, he shares the lead for SEC quarterbacks with five touchdowns on those same intermediate throws.
Simpson's rise as a leading passer in college football has significantly benefited Alabama, especially following their rocky start in Week 1 against Florida State. Since then, Alabama has secured four consecutive victories, including a noteworthy upset against Georgia, where they handed the Bulldogs their first home loss since 2019. In that game, Simpson impressed fans and analysts alike with 276 passing yards and three touchdowns.
It's important to acknowledge that Simpson has remarkable talent surrounding him, but what truly catches Klatt's attention is how this first-year starter has managed to elevate the Alabama team's performance. Klatt passionately argued that Simpson has genuinely raised the team's ceiling. He commented, "If Alabama can achieve even a moderate level of competency running the ball—something they showed signs of improving last week—they don’t need to be exceptional in that regard. But they shouldn't fall into a rut similar to what Washington experienced in previous years when losing a key running back crippled their running game. If Alabama can’t protect Simpson, disaster could strike, just like it did at Florida State.
"Thus, it’s essential for the team to provide him with solid offensive line protection and at least a functional run game to keep their opponents’ defenses honest. If they succeed in those areas, I genuinely believe Alabama could take home the SEC title."
What do you think about Ty Simpson's potential in the Heisman race? Does his name hold him back in the eyes of voters? Let’s discuss!
