Earlier this week, Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer named redshirt junior Ty Simpson the team’s starting quarterback, succeeding Jalen Milroe. He picked the 22-year-old after a battle against redshirt sophomore Austin Mack and true freshman and five-star recruit Keelon Russell.
“I really felt like he had showed enough through camp to be the dominant player in the room,” Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said, per Ryan Fowler of Tide 100.9. “I felt like it was the best thing for the team just to move forward and get the guys going and give some establishment to that position so the team can get behind them.”
Here’s why Simpson makes sense as the starter for Alabama, the eighth-ranked team in the preseason AP Top 25 poll:
Team believes in him
The most obvious reason Simpson is ready is that he learned under stars Milroe and Bryce Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner. Simpson waited four years to be named starter. He’s not experienced — Simpson has played in mostly spot duty in 16 games for the Tide — but he has the confidence of the team.
“He’s getting way more comfortable in his leadership, and being able to manage the team,” Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson said, per journalist Hunter Brantley.
And Simpson has confidence in himself, too.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them,” Simpson said of Milroe and Young, per Fowler of Tide100.9. “And then the guys behind me, like Keelon and Austin. You know, I think that they pushed me and … elevated my game.”
Clutch in limited playing time
Simpson (16-for-29 for 381 yards passing at Alabama) has played efficiently in his limited playing time. His biggest performance came after he replaced a struggling Tyler Buchner in Week 3 of the 2023 season against South Florida. Simpson completed 5-of-9 passes for 73 yards and rushed for a touchdown in the Tide’s 17-3 win.
In June, Grubb said Simpson was the front-runner for the gig.
“Ty took care of the football better,” he told Fowler. “He operated better. I thought he improved for an older quarterback… As an older guy, especially towards the latter part of the spring, he really started to show more of those characteristics.”
He’s the most game-ready QB on the roster
Mack has thrown three passes in college. Russell hasn’t played in a college game yet. Simpson is simply far more prepared to take over.
Alabama hasn’t always made the right decision regarding its quarterback in the past decade. The Tide gave the starting role to Blake Barnett in 2016, but true freshman Jalen Hurts would eventually take over.
Simpson is a former five-star recruit who has waited patiently for his chance. His role was decided early, as opposed to Barnett, who was named the starting quarterback shortly before kickoff against the USC Trojans. Barnett wasn’t the correct pick. Alabama hopes it made the right decision on this QB duel.
Alabama’s first game is at Florida State on Aug. 30.
