The Los Angeles Rams have selected former Alabama quarterback and Martin native Ty Simpson with the 13th overall of the first round in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Simpson was the second quarterback drafted, following Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, who was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the first overall pick.
The 6-foot-1, 211-pound Simpson was standout at Westview before going on to play for the Crimson Tide, starting all 15 games last season as Alabama reached the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, falling to eventual champion Indiana.
Simpson completed 64.5% of his passes last season, throwing for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions. He was a finalist for the Manning Award and semifinalist for both the Walter Camp and Davey O'Brien Awards.
At Westview, Simpson was named Class 2A Mr. Football and Gatorade Tennessee Player of the Year in 2021 after leading the Chargers to a TSSAA football state championship, the first in program history at the time.
Here's more on what Rams will be getting in Simpson.
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Despite only one season starting at Alabama, Simpson shot up draft boards for a reason. He was quick to recognize and exploit holes in opposing defenses throughout his lone season leading the Crimson Tide and showed NFL-ready footwork. Sharp instincts and decision making paired with sound mechanics leave Simpson as a promising work in progress for the Rams.
Limited experience remains a question mark surrounding Simpson. He doesn't have elite size or arm strength for the position and showed inconsistencies down the stretch of the season with Alabama, which may have worried some teams with such a limited sample size.
Simpson's lack of experience has raised question marks, but he showed impressive accuracy and poise in pocket leading Alabama last season.
Scouts pointing to his accuracy, mechanics and footwork as great building blocks for the future. Simpson's decision-making also impressed scouts, able to quickly react to defenses and move the ball down the field.
Analysts have highlighted arm strength and size as potential detractors in Simpson's NFL readiness, but with sound mechanics and success at every stop, there's little wonder why Simpson was highly coveted.
Simpson's father Jason has coached Tennessee Martin football since 2005, leading the Skyhawks to five OVC championships. His younger brother Graham will be a junior at Westview in the fall and has followed closely in Simpson's footsteps.
Graham was named Class 3A Mr. Football this past season after leading Westview to the program's second-ever state title. The Chargers defeated Gatlinburg-Pittman 62-21, as Graham set TSSAA records for most passing yards (566) and longest touchdown pass (99 yards) in a championship game, while tying the record for most passing touchdowns (7).
Graham also holds the TSSAA record for most passing yards in a regular season game with 620.
In his senior season, as Westview hoisted a gold ball, Simpson threw for 2,827 yards with 41 touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for 862 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was named The Jackson Sun's All-West Tennessee Offensive Player of the Year.
As a junior Simpson threw for 1,888 yards and 20 touchdowns on 203 attempts while rushing for 311 yards and seven touchdowns.
Harrison Campbell covers high school sports for The Daily Herald and The Tennessean. Email him at hcampbell@usatodayco.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @hccamp.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Los Angeles Rams pick Alabama QB Ty Simpson in 2026 NFL Draft