When Ty Simpson steps onto the field this fall, Crimson Tide fans will finally get to see the fulfillment of a promise made nearly three years ago. A five‑star recruit from Westview High in Martin, Tennessee, Simpson carried sky‑high expectations into Tuscaloosa. His pedigree was undeniable: Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year, a dual‑threat machine with more than 2,800 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns, and over 850 rushing yards his senior season. But in a program built on instant success, Simpson’s path would be the textbook definition of patience.
Signed in early 2022, Simpson redshirted behind Bryce Young, a Heisman Trophy winner, then became the backup to Jalen Milroe over the next two seasons. Through it all, he never balked; his loyalty to Alabama shone in an era when the transfer portal beckoned every player with unspent duty . He could have left, moved on, or chased immediate playing time—it would have been easy. Instead, he stayed, learned, and built.
That loyalty resonates beyond Tuscaloosa. Clemson’s star quarterback Cade Klubnik—top‑NFL draft prospect and an elite player in his own right—recently praised Simpson’s perseverance. “Guys like Arch \[Manning], Garrett Nussmeier, Drew Allar and Ty Simpson… those are four of the best quarterbacks in college football right now,” Klubnik told *On3*’s Pete Nakos . It wasn’t lip service—it was a recognition of the quiet grind from one college football heavyweight to another.
Simpson’s progression is possible because of two guiding truths: his elite talent and his mental toughness. He’s not the flashiest four‑ or five‑star QB we’ve seen. He’s not consistently launching 80‑yard bombs. Instead, his game shows subtlety and determination. Alabama’s A‑Day scrimmage in April offered a glimpse. While the actual drills weren’t structured for a full show, Simpson stood out by consistently making accurate throws, stepping up in the pocket, and firing over the middle under pressure. Kalen DeBoer, his head coach, said the program “want\[s] that playmaker… not just a game manager. It’s a telling comment—Simpson has shown the flashes of the playmaker Alabama craves.
By that same standard, ESPN analyst Greg McElroy doesn’t want to call him the starter just yet—but he certainly views him as the front‑runner. McElroy told *Always College Football* that Simpson “had asserted himself into the lead of the quarterback battle,” calling his camp “solid” and noting the battle is down to who will take the number two spot behind him . And even if that starter tag isn’t handed over immediately, Simpson’s clarity is hard to miss: DeBoer has publicly laid out that if a game were played today, Simpson would be QB1 ([essentiallysports.com][4]).
Behind the scenes, Simpson’s confidence is quietly growing. His teammates have noticed. In 2021, when he enrolled early and joined bowl‑prep practices, Bryce Young told *Sports Illustrated* that he could already see Simpson’s natural throwing mechanics and sharp football IQ . Teammate Will Anderson even joked he wasn’t bringing full pass‑rush heat yet, but Simpson was absorbing it, adapting, and learning what Alabama football truly requires .
Simpson’s on‑field flashes go beyond scrimmages. In mop‑up duty during a blowout win over Western Kentucky, he executed a clean read‑option for a touchdown despite slipping mid‑play ([athlonsports.com][3]). In another instance, a sideline escape and 43‑yard strike to Josh Cuevas set up a Richard Young TD—an ESPN‑highlighted play that underscored his athletic upside and play‑creation ability .
He hasn’t been perfect. His stat lines are modest: over 300 career passing yards on a completion rate around 61.5%, alongside a few rushing scores. Yet, stats only tell part of the story. Alabama’s depth has kept those mop‑up drives brief. More importantly, Simpson’s mistakes don’t linger. A notorious fumble at the 1‑yard line earned some ribbing—but instead of sulking, he refocused. As Rivals’ “little turd” quote highlighted, Simpson “soaks it up like a man and then it’s like, ‘Let’s go get back to work’. That resilience is as crucial as any flashy arm.
Ty Simpson has matured into a vocal leader. As a redshirt senior, now among the most experienced quarterbacks on roster, he serves on the team’s leadership council—a sign coach and teammates see him as more than just a roster spot. With Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe departed, the QB room looks to Simpson for guidance during fall camp, been a trusted voice on and off the field.
Off the field, Simpson’s grown into a brand. Just this year, he signed an NIL ambassador deal with Alabama’s “Crimson Tide Outdoors” campaign—sporting camo gear that taps into the school’s hunting and fishing culture . He also launched his official online store, selling hats, tees, and sweatshirts bearing his signature logo, designed in collaboration with Athlete Studio ([tysimpsonofficial.com][9]). That business acumen shows both entrepreneurial spirit and recognition that college football today is about more than Xs and Os.
The anticipation for his first true start is palpable. Alabama opens the season on August 30 at Florida State, before returning home for a September 6 game against Louisiana‑Monroe. Between now and then, fall camp will determine whether Simpson’s momentum holds—a preview of what’s to come when the season kicks off.
Watching Simpson chase his shot is exciting for Alabama fans who understand the program’s culture: elite recruits get elite development. Linebacker Deeboer said he expects their QB to be a difference‑maker—and if Ty Simpson steps like the trailer already shows, the Tide might just get one . With each camp rep, each off‑campus appearance, the buzz grows louder: he’s not just ready; he’s deserving.
Of course, the SEC gauntlet awaits. Georgia, LSU, Texas, and rival Auburn all loom on the schedule—opponents who will test Simpson’s resolve. But he’s ready. His high school dominance prepared him. His patience at Alabama strengthened him. His resume of endorsements, scrimmage play, and team leadership backed him. And in the quiet, unanimous nod from coaches, teammates, and rival quarterbacks alike, a narrative is forming: Ty Simpson is Alabama’s QB. He’s earned every ounce of hype, and now the task ahead is simple: show them why he’s a college football monster.
Will Simpson dominate from day one? Maybe. Will he face growing pains? Of course. But the storyline isn’t just about stats; it’s about destiny realized. From making waves as a five‑star recruit, to beating SEC depth charts, to now leading the race for QB1 with tangible results, Simpson’s journey ticks all the boxes. The only question now is how he will write the next chapter—on the biggest stage of all.
