Ty Simpson vs. Fernando Mendoza: The key stats you need to know in ongoing QB debate

Ty Simpson vs. Fernando Mendoza: The key stats you need to know in ongoing QB debate originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson have garnered household fame across the country as the two are expected to go in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Neither of these two had an illustrious collegiate history until this season, however, with both breaking onto the national scene in a major way. Looking forward to the draft, most believe Mendoza seems like the clear choice as the first QB to drafted this year.

Still, with the two QBs sharing so many similarities, it's time to see how they stack up against one another. Here are the numbers on how Mendoza and Simpson compare throughout their college football careers.

MORE: Bill Bender's QB-only mock draft 2026: How do Mendoza and Simpson stack up?

Fernando Mendoza vs. Ty Simpson college stats 

Mendoza and Simpson have a comparable number of games at the collegiate level, although Mendoza has spent more total minutes on the gridiron.

Mendoza redshirted his first season and garnered significant time with Cal in the two years that followed. Simpson played in several games throughout his first three seasons in Tuscaloosa, but he was never the first option, which limited many of his counting stats by comparison.

Before this season, Simpson had never thrown a touchdown pass at the NCAA level, while Mendoza had thrown 30, more than Simpson did throughout the 2025 season.

Here's a breakdown of how the two fared during their time as college QBs.

MORE: Fernando Mendoza family tree: Backup QB brother, mom, Cuban roots

Fernando Mendoza vs. Ty Simpson playoff stats 

This playoff run was the first for both quarterbacks, and included a matchup against one another in the quarterfinals. Simpson exited that game with an injury, while Mendoza thrived all postseason, leading Indiana to the promised land.

Simpson did get a win of his own as well, in the first round against Oklahoma. 

While the stats for both are a very small sample size, it can begin to answer the question of how these teams perform on the biggest stages and against the toughest opponents.

Here's a breakdown of the two QBs in the 2025 playoffs, the only postseason playing time for either player.

MORE: Fernando Mendoza college timeline: 2-star recruit becomes Heisman winner

Fernando Mendoza vs. Ty Simpson college record

Before last season, Mendoza held a QB record of just 9-10 with Cal. However, after a transfer to Indiana and a perfect season the following year, he ended with a record of 25-10 as QB.

Simpson spent his first three years in Alabama as a backup who received limited playing time. After taking over in 2025, however, he led the Crimson Tide to an 11-4 record on the season. 

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Fernando Mendoza vs. Ty Simpson playoff record

Neither of these elite QBs saw any postseason action until 2025, where Mendoza led Indiana to a perfect 3-0, en route to a place as National Champions.

Simpson started two playoff games, winning the first against Oklahoma, 34-24. In the second game against Indiana, however, Simpson went down with an injury after 16 attempted passes. He finished with a playoff record of 1-1.