The next stop on Ty Simpson's football journey will take him out west.
In a surprise move, the Los Angeles Rams selected the former Alabama football quarterback 13th overall in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft Thursday night in Pittsburgh. Simpson was drafted one spot below teammate Kadyn Proctor, who the Miami Dolphins selected with the No. 12 overall pick.
Simpson is the latest in an impressive streak of Alabama starting quarterbacks to hear their names called in the NFL draft. Two-year Crimson Tide starter Jalen Milroe was a third-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2025, and Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young was drafted No. 1 overall by the Carolina Panthers in 2023.
Prior to that, Mac Jones was selected 15th overall in 2021 by the New England Patriots, and Tua Tagovailoa went to the Dolphins fifth overall in 2020. Jalen Hurts was drafted in the second round by the Philadelphia Eagles that same year after spending his final college season at Oklahoma following three years in Tuscaloosa.
Across social media, the Rams' selection of Simpson drew jubilation from Alabama fans and Simpson's teammates, as you'd expect. Others had mixed reactions, particularly within the Rams' fan base.
Ty Simpson is only the third quarterback the Rams have ever selected in the first round in the common draft era, joining Jared Goff and Sam Bradford 👀 pic.twitter.com/19xfPcpOb1
A message from the newest Ram! pic.twitter.com/erWdoM7CoB
The frontrunner to replace Simpson as Alabama's starting quarterback in 2026 was nothing less than ecstatic for his former teammate.
Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell reacts to Ty Simpson being selected No. 13 overall to the Los Angeles Rams🎥 @Pres1dential IG pic.twitter.com/K1rPaXNqTw
— Brett Greenberg (@BrettGreenberg_) April 24, 2026
Alabama's 18 consecutive years of a first-round #NFLdraft pick and 10 consecutive years of multiple first-round draft picks break the previous records, both held by ... Alabama
Alabama has placed two or more first-rounders in 10 consecutive NFL drafts. Ryan Kelly the last loner in '16.
The Tuscaloosa News' Colin Gay compiled a list of reactions from Alabama players to Simpson being drafted by the Rams.
Alabama OL Jackson Lloyd reacts to Kadyn Proctor draft pick. Lloyd is replacing Proctor at left tackle in 2026 @tuscaloosanews pic.twitter.com/mcbxVDL3iS
TE Marshall Pritchett, OL Mal Waldrep Jr. and RB Daniel Hill on Ty Simpson pic.twitter.com/bMbb3rNHAh
Ty Simpson couldn't help but smile when he put his @RamsNFL hat on for the first time 😁@NewEraCap | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/PuYOyqjpB2
A major draft surprise: The #Rams select #Bama QB Ty Simpson at No. 13, a few months after GM Les Snead told the family he thought Simpson was a first-rounder. Now, he is. A perfect situation to watch and learn.
Sean McVay hand-picked his next QB. I am not one to question it. It was easy to see the Ty Simpson fit in his offense.Gonna be fun to see how he develops!
Ty Simpson in the Rams offense is going to be a problem. #NFL
— NashvilleNightmares⚔️ (@rolltitans5) April 24, 2026