Here’s a bold statement: Ty Simpson, Alabama’s quarterback, is being overlooked in the Heisman Trophy conversation, and it might just be because of his name. But here’s where it gets controversial—Joel Klatt, a prominent sports analyst, believes that if Simpson’s last name were Manning, the Heisman Trophy ceremony would already be a done deal. Klatt’s argument isn’t just a hot take; it’s backed by stats and on-field performance that demand attention.
While Simpson isn’t the current favorite for the Heisman—trailing behind Miami’s Carson Beck and Oregon’s Dante Moore in the odds—his numbers tell a different story. Through Week 6, Simpson has outperformed both Beck and Moore in passing yards per game (295.6 vs. 242 and 242.6, respectively) and yards per attempt (9.4). Though Moore leads in touchdown passes (14 to Simpson’s 13), Simpson’s ability to consistently deliver intermediate and deep throws has set him apart. According to Pro Football Focus, Simpson ranks among the highest-graded quarterbacks for throws between 10-19 yards and 20-plus yards, with 525 intermediate yards—the most in the SEC and fifth-most in the FBS.
And this is the part most people miss—it’s not just about the stats. Klatt emphasizes that Simpson has passed the ‘eye test’ with flying colors. While reviewing Alabama’s film for a Wisconsin matchup, Klatt paused multiple times in awe of```json
{
