Why Ty Simpson's Weight, Stats Went Down Late in Season

Indianapolis — The mystery behind Ty Simpson’s late-season slide has an answer, and it is more medical than mechanical. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the former Alabama quarterback was fighting a severe case of gastritis while guiding the Crimson Tide through the stretch run, a revelation that explains both his declining numbers and his shrinking frame.

Simpson, who will throw for scouts at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine, opened 2025 by averaging 266.7 passing yards and 2.0 touchdowns per game with a 66.9 percent completion rate through his first 11 outings. Over the final four contests—including an abbreviated Rose Bowl exit after a third-quarter rib injury—those figures plummeted to 158.3 yards, 1.5 touchdowns and 57.1 percent.

Pelissero reported Monday on Good Morning Football that the gastritis left Simpson weighing “in the 190s” by the time Alabama reached Pasadena. The redshirt junior is now back to 215 pounds and, per Pelissero, “should really stand out” in Indianapolis.

Despite the downturn, Simpson still paced the SEC with 305 completions on 473 attempts, finishing the 15-game season with 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He added 93 rushing yards and two scores on 90 carries while serving as a team co-captain.

Scouts have long flagged Simpson’s limited starting résumé—he was a one-year starter—and his leaner build, but Pelissero notes that protection issues and receiver drops also contributed to the late fade. A strong combine performance could solidify Simpson’s projection as a first-round pick; he would become the seventh Alabama quarterback ever selected on Day 1, joining Harry Gilmer, Joe Namath, Richard Todd, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones and 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young.

Simpson is among 12 former Crimson Tide invitees working out in Indianapolis from February 23 through March 2 as they look to boost their draft stock ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.