BREAKING: Ty Simpson has been named a 2025 captain for Alabama and will have his hand and cleat prints cast in concrete outside Denny Chimes next year
The moment Alabama fans have long anticipated is now official—Ty Simpson has been named a team captain for the 2025 season, a distinction that carries weight far beyond the huddle. In true Crimson Tide tradition, this honor also means his hand and cleat prints will be permanently cast in concrete outside the iconic Denny Chimes next spring, joining the ranks of Alabama greats in a ceremony that speaks to leadership, legacy, and everything the Crimson Tide program stands for.
For Simpson, this isn’t just a title or symbolic gesture. It’s a mark of trust, a recognition of everything he’s put into this program, and a signal that he has not only taken command of the offense, but of the entire team culture. Being named a captain at Alabama isn’t handed out lightly. The role carries with it the echoes of legends—players who didn’t just play well on Saturdays, but who shaped the identity of the locker room, inspired accountability, and elevated those around them. Ty Simpson now takes his place in that lineage, and it feels both well-earned and inevitable.
It’s been a steady climb for Simpson, who entered the program with plenty of hype but had to wait his turn behind more experienced quarterbacks. Through it all, he remained patient, diligent, and ready. When his opportunity arrived, he didn’t just take the job—he embraced every ounce of pressure that came with it. This offseason, Simpson emerged as the clear leader in the quarterback room, outpacing highly regarded talent with a blend of poise, football IQ, and grit. But what stood out most wasn’t just his arm or his legs—it was his voice. Coaches and teammates alike consistently praised his command of the offense, his ability to motivate, and his unwavering presence in the most intense moments.
Those traits are what ultimately secured his captaincy. The title reflects how his teammates view him—someone who walks the walk, leads by example, and doesn’t flinch when the weight of Alabama football rests on his shoulders. From offseason workouts to late-summer scrimmages, Simpson showed up and showed out. He wasn’t just a participant in camp—he was the standard-setter. Whether it was encouraging a young lineman, checking protections at the line, or meeting with receivers long after practice, Simpson made it clear this was going to be his team, and he was going to earn that leadership the hard way.
The announcement that he would be one of Alabama’s captains came just days after fall camp concluded. Coach Kalen DeBoer delivered the news privately to the team before it became public, emphasizing how peer-driven the selection process is. At Alabama, captains aren’t appointed from above—they’re voted on by the players. It’s the locker room that decides who represents them, who leads them into battle, and who carries the values of the program forward. That vote is the ultimate seal of respect. For Simpson, being chosen says everything about what he’s become—not just the guy with the ball in his hands, but the one everyone trusts when things get tough.
The legacy component of the captaincy comes next spring, when Simpson will take part in one of Alabama’s most cherished traditions: the Denny Chimes handprint ceremony. For those unfamiliar, this ritual dates back to the early 1940s and involves each season’s team captains leaving their hand and cleat prints in the concrete surrounding the base of Denny Chimes on the University of Alabama campus. It’s not just about marking territory—it’s about memorializing leadership. When you walk that area, you’re stepping over the prints of legends—Joe Namath, Derrick Thomas, Cornelius Bennett, John Hannah, and more. Each pair of prints tells a story of grit, dominance, and the respect of their peers. Next year, Simpson’s will be there, etched beside them in concrete for generations to see.
What makes this moment even more special is the journey Simpson has taken to get here. Coming out of high school, he was a top-ranked recruit, known for his arm talent and dual-threat capabilities. But nothing was handed to him at Alabama. He sat behind veterans, watched others start, and faced the noise from fans and media who speculated about his future. Instead of transferring or fading into the background, Simpson dug in. He learned. He matured. And when his name was called, he didn’t blink. He’s led with class, toughness, and the kind of focus that turns potential into production.
Now as the 2025 season looms, Simpson isn’t just the quarterback of the Crimson Tide—he’s the face of the team. His leadership has already started shaping how Alabama plays. Practices have been sharper. Tempo has been faster. Communication cleaner. That’s what happens when your captain is the one setting the tone every single rep. And in the film room? It’s Simpson who’s staying late, challenging teammates, and holding himself to a higher standard.
Coach DeBoer has repeatedly praised Simpson’s leadership, especially noting how he earned respect long before the official captain title was announced. DeBoer talks about Simpson like a coach on the field, someone who understands the scheme, the responsibilities, and the pressure that comes with being the quarterback at Alabama. But more than that, he admires Simpson’s humility—his ability to be a listener, a learner, and a leader without ever needing to be the loudest voice in the room.
There’s a calm intensity to Simpson that reminds many of past Alabama greats. He’s not brash. He doesn’t seek the spotlight. But when the game is on the line, he wants the ball—and that’s where he thrives. The captaincy just makes it official: this is his moment, and he’s ready to lead from the front.
Being a captain at Alabama also means being an ambassador. It means facing the media after tough games, lifting spirits in the locker room, representing the university with pride, and setting an example off the field. Simpson’s already shown he’s up to that task. He’s involved in community initiatives, active on campus, and respected by everyone who interacts with him. It’s clear that for Simpson, leadership isn’t limited to Saturdays. It’s something you carry every day.
The 2025 season has the makings of something special. With Simpson at the helm and now officially one of the team’s captains, Alabama enters the year with clarity, direction, and belief. The offense has rallied around him, the coaching staff trusts him, and the fanbase is ready to see what this version of the Crimson Tide can do under his guidance. His cleats haven’t even touched the turf of Denny Chimes yet, but his name is already part of Alabama lore.
Ty Simpson’s story is still being written. There are games to win, challenges to face, and goals to chase. But with the captain patch soon stitched to his jersey and his place among Tide legends soon to be cast in stone, there’s no question his legacy is cementing in real time. And when fans walk past Denny Chimes years from now, they’ll stop and point to those prints—remembering not just the quarterback, but the leader who helped define an era.
