The interviews that have happened since spring football practice are opening eyes to who will become Alabama’s starting quarterback in the fall.
Ryan Grubb, the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator, started the conversation after the A-Day event. He said if the season started today, Ty Simpson would get the first opportunity versus Florida State. Kalen DeBoer agreed with Grubb, although he wants to see the entire quarterback room improve. AJ McCarron, a former Tide signal-caller, believes his QB Country colleague should be Alabama’s starter at quarterback. McCarron, who won three BCS National Championships, said teammates ‘respect’ Simpson and he understands expectations.
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Nick Saban is the final messenger for Simpson. The former Alabama head coach held his annual Nick’s Kids Foundation charity golf event on Tuesday in Birmingham, Ala.
He has transitioned to television with ESPN and is in a role to help college football improve with name, image, and likeness, but he took time to talk about one of his former players.
Saban recruited Simpson from Westview High School (Martin, Tenn.) in the 2022 recruiting cycle as a five-star prospect. He developed Simpson as he redshirted his freshman year and during the 2023 campaign as a backup to Jalen Milroe. The 73-year-old had no problem turning to Simpson in an early season matchup versus South Florida in 2023, replacing Tyler Buchner. Simpson came in off the bench, led the Tide to 17 unanswered points, and helped Alabama to a 17-3 victory. He saw the leadership of Bryce Young and Milroe, yet Simpson knows he can captain the program to a College Football Playoff National Championship.
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Saban describes Simpson as the definition of ‘true development.’
“Ty was an outstanding high school player, no doubt,” Saban said. “He is a fine young man, and I believe his example is a true example of development. He has matured and developed for two years and now he’s getting an opportunity. I believe those experiences are going to help him be successful. We are rooting for him, that’s for sure. I have every confidence that he’ll do a great job.”
Simpson is the lone quarterback on the current roster that Saban recruited and had signed to Alabama. We will see what happens in preseason camp, but Saban is now all in on Simpson.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and writer for The Bama Standard. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.
