’I’m a Christian First’: Ty Simpson’s Crisis of Faith Turns Tide and Propels Him to Alabama Starting QB

When Ty Simpson found himself standing stunned in the locker room after a spring scrimmage during his sophomore year, tears streamed down his face—not for a failed play, but for something deeper. “I just started crying,” he would later recall. “I was just like, man, what is going on? I just don’t feel like… it’s not fun to me anymore.” That raw admission marked a crossroads in the career of the future Alabama Commodores quarterback. What followed was not just a return to form—but a rebirth rooted in faith and resolve.

Simpson’s revelation came later that evening, during a conversation with his father, Jason Simpson—head coach at UT Martin. “My dad asked me, ‘Man, how’s your faith doing? What are you doing to make sure that you give everything and trust in the Lord?’” Ty remembered. The question hit with the force of a blitz play: he realized he had been more concerned about how people perceived him than how he walked in his faith. It was a moment of clarity that shifted his priorities, setting him on a path to rediscover joy in the game—and ultimately to being named Alabama’s starting quarterback for the 2025 season.

For Simpson, the quarterback position is more than X’s and O’s—it’s a platform, and his faith is the foundation. “No matter how many touchdowns I throw, no matter how many wins I have at the University of Alabama, I’m a Christian first, and I know that I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him,” he asserted with conviction

From that pivotal moment in spring practice, Simpson embarked on a spiritual and athletic metamorphosis. The next years would see a patient, humbling climb to prominence.

Simpson arrived at Alabama in early 2022 as a highly touted five-star quarterback out of Westview High School in Tennessee. He carried glowing stats—he passed for over 2,800 yards and 41 touchdowns in one season—and a State Player of the Year honor  Yet from the moment he set foot on campus, he understood the uphill battle ahead. He redshirted his freshman year, and as Alabama cycled through starting quarterbacks, he remained on the sideline. Still, Simpson stayed. He watched Bryce Young exit for the NFL, and then sat behind Jalen Milroe—results-driven quarterbacks with established roles.

As the years marched on, Simpson held firm, displaying remarkable loyalty in an era when transfer portals beckoned those not starting. CBS Sports dubbed his decision “an anomaly,” noting that no other five-star QB in the 247Sports era had stayed more than three seasons without a start—or stuck it out through a quarterback carousel with competitors like Austin Mack and five-star freshman Keelon Russell joining the fray.

His perseverance paid off dramatically this spring. In the highly anticipated quarterback battle, Simpson separated himself with precision, consistency, and composure. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb acknowledged, “If we were playing a game tomorrow, Ty Simpson would start. And he earned that.” Meanwhile, Coach Kalen DeBoer praised Simpson as someone “who’s been around the block,” able to command the offense with poise.

When the team’s first preseason scrimmage rolled around, Simpson’s performance solidified his edge. Reports noted that he not only displayed command over the offense but also remarkable ball security—raising the confidence of coaches and teammates alike. For DeBoer, the defining trait was Simpson’s character—not just talent. He praised Simpson’s “confidence, composure, and explosive playmaking,” pointing to the quarterback room’s unity and mutual respect as evidence the choice was about more than X’s and O’s.

On August 11, 2025, Simpson’s dream became reality. Officially named the starting QB, he described the moment as “a dream come true,” expressing gratitude to his teammates for lifting him and crediting them for pushing him to become better.

Today, Simpson stands at the helm of the Crimson Tide offense, embodying a journey of spiritual growth, perseverance, and loyalty rarely seen in modern college football. In statements to the media, he emphasized the importance of focus and clarity—echoing the wisdom from Coach Saban: tune out external noise and center on becoming the best version of yourself. Simpson’s affirmation that he is “the best Ty Simpson” he can be reflects a grounded maturity shaped by crisis and rediscovery.

As the Tide prepares to open their season in Tallahassee against Florida State on August 30, anticipation hums around Simpson’s leadership. Alabama fans, analysts, and teammates see in him not just potential but steadfast faith—not just a starting quarterback, but a testament to staying true to what matters most.