Three scholarship athletes are in Alabama’s quarterback room, but one has received the bulk of attention in interviews this offseason.
Whether it was Ryan Grubb after spring practice, Kalen DeBoer echoing Grubb’s statement during the Regions Tradition Pro-Am golf tournament, AJ McCarron detailing his thoughts, or Nick Saban providing his input, Ty Simpson seems to be the favorite for starting quarterback.
The redshirt junior from Tennessee is entering his fourth year in the program, and most believe the former five-star is the best option for the Crimson Tide. Simpson has waited his time behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe, but there are others reasons why he makes the most sense as QB1 and will lead Alabama to a College Football Playoff National Title in the coming fall.
4 reasons why Kalen DeBoer will have Alabama in CFP for 2025
The biggest three reasons are below.
1. Knowledge of the system/program
He has never started a game for the University of Alabama football team, yet Simpson has more time on task with the program than any other quarterback on its roster.
He’s worked in 16 games across three seasons, including six in 2024.
Simpson got his most extensive time in Alabama’s 2023 matchup versus South Florida on the road. He replaced Tyler Buchner, who started the game because Jalen Milroe was benched, and led the Crimson Tide to 17 unanswered points in a 17-3 victory over the Bulls.
Alabama QB room ranks top-10 in 2025, according to PFF
Simpson understands the winning culture at Alabama, seeing how he was on the 2022 team that captured an Allstate Sugar Bowl victory and 2023 team that won a Southeastern Conference Championship. He now has a year with Kalen DeBoer under his belt, so he knows the expectations for this offense. Simpson operated Grubb’s scheme well in spring practice, posting multiple strong performances in scrimmages. His understanding of the system and culture in Tuscaloosa (Ala.) makes him the one who can lead teammates to a national title.
2. Respect of the team/others
Jalen Milroe was highly talented; however, some felt Ty Simpson should have been the starter for Alabama in 2024 and after what he did versus South Florida in 2023.
Simpson admitted in an interview with Roger Hoover of Crimson Tide Sports Network that he was not ready to be the guy at the time. Now, he has the respect of everyone in the program — including legends who are no longer with the team. AJ McCarron, a former three-time national champion, said ‘players respect Simpson.’ He feels the starting job is Simpson’s to lose.
Ryan Grubb told local reporters after spring practice that Simpson would start against Florida State if the season opened today. DeBoer shared the same thought as Grubb, although he wants the whole quarterback room to be good. Nick Saban provided the cherry on top with stating how he is ‘rooting for Simpson’ in the competition, yet this is geared to how he is the lone quarterback in the room that Saban recruited. The point is that Simpson has the respect of his teammates, coaches, and legends of the program. He is in a position where he can lead this Alabama team to a national championship.
Nick Saban said this Alabama QB defines ‘true development’ and is ‘rooting for him’ in 2025 season
3. Jake Coker comparison, Simpson is ready now
People make the comparison to Mac Jones and AJ McCarron when discussing Ty Simpson, but the former Alabama quarterback he is closets to might be Jake Coker.
Coker, a 2015 CFP National Champion, came to the Crimson Tide in the summer of 2014 as a transfer from Florida State. He nearly beat out Jameis Winston for the starting job and most felt he would knock out Blake Sims for the Tide’s starting role in 2014. Coker was not ready for the job then, but he grew with each game in 2015. The Mobile (Ala.) native had so many reps under his belt that he would sometimes overthink, and Saban had to remind him to just play football.
Simpson is a coach’s son who has seen a lot of football.
He now gets an opportunity to just play and we are about to see what it looks like. Alabama fans have to grow with him as they did with Coker. In growing with Coker, the Tide got better each week in 2015 — en route to an SEC Championship and a national title. It has a chance now to grow with Simpson.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and writer for The Bama Standard. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.
