It’s Ty Simpson’s Time: Alabama’s New QB1 Set to Prove He’s Ready to Lead the Crimson Tide
After years of anticipation, development, and quiet perseverance, Ty Simpson finally has his moment. Named Alabama’s starting quarterback ahead of the 2025 season, Simpson now steps into the spotlight, not as a backup or a prospect, but as the face of the most iconic football program in the nation. For Alabama fans who have waited to see what kind of quarterback Simpson truly is, the answer is no longer a question for tomorrow. It’s time. Ty Simpson’s time.
Simpson’s journey to this point has been long, patient, and anything but typical for a modern five-star recruit. Coming out of Westview High School in Tennessee, Simpson was one of the most coveted quarterback prospects in the country. Armed with elite arm talent, natural mobility, and a football pedigree—his father Jason Simpson is a respected college head coach—he had every reason to expect an early rise to stardom. But Alabama has never been an easy place for quarterbacks to ascend quickly. Competition is fierce, and expectations are unforgiving. Simpson arrived in Tuscaloosa behind a Heisman Trophy winner in Bryce Young and later saw Jalen Milroe take the reins during a turbulent 2023 campaign. As the quarterback carousel spun, Simpson remained in the background—developing, observing, waiting.
In today’s college football landscape, a player like Simpson sticking around for three seasons without a starting job is a rare sight. In an era where highly ranked quarterbacks transfer at the first sign of competition, Simpson chose the harder path. He trusted the system. He trusted the process. And now, he finally gets the chance to prove that trust was worth it—not just for him, but for the team and the fans who have watched his journey unfold from the sidelines.
The announcement that Simpson would start came after months of speculation and a heated quarterback battle with redshirt freshman Austin Mack and five-star early enrollee Keelon Russell. While all three showed flashes of potential during spring and fall camp, Simpson separated himself with his command of the offense, improved decision-making, and leadership presence. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said that Simpson had clearly earned the job through consistent performance, especially in scrimmages where he made very few mistakes and displayed poise under pressure. Head coach Kalen DeBoer, entering his second season with the program, praised Simpson’s maturity, composure, and connection with teammates.
But earning the job is only the beginning. The real test comes under the lights, with the season opener looming large. Alabama kicks off its 2025 campaign with a high-profile matchup against Florida State in Tallahassee, and for Simpson, it will be more than a debut—it will be a proving ground. It’s one thing to win a quarterback battle in August practices. It’s another to walk into a hostile environment and execute with confidence, precision, and resilience. Simpson will be judged immediately, and every throw, every read, every decision will be magnified.
Yet if there’s one word that defines Simpson’s approach to this challenge, it’s readiness. He hasn’t just been waiting—he’s been preparing. Teammates describe him as a film junkie, a gym rat, and someone who has earned their respect not with flash but with grit. Tight end Josh Cuevas recently offered perhaps the most revealing glimpse into the shift that’s occurred within the team since Simpson was named starter. “We’re gonna kind of get solidified now,” Cuevas said. “Start building on concrete and not some sand, you know?” That statement doesn’t just reflect confidence in Simpson—it reflects relief. For a team to truly evolve, it must know who its leader is. Now, Alabama does.
Simpson’s development under the radar has also been shaped by his humility. He’s never complained publicly, never pointed fingers, and never acted entitled to the position. Instead, he’s embraced every rep, every coaching point, and every chance to improve. And when asked recently about being named QB1, Simpson deflected the praise. “It’s about the team,” he said. “I’m just doing my part.” That mindset has gone a long way in solidifying the locker room behind him.
Alabama fans, too, have reason to believe. Simpson’s natural ability has never been in question. He throws with touch and velocity, can extend plays with his legs, and sees the field with the instincts of someone raised around football. What’s changed over the past year is his comfort within the offense and his ability to stay calm when the pocket collapses. During fall camp, he made smart decisions with the football and displayed improved timing with receivers. Those are the traits Alabama will need from him—especially early in the season, when the margin for error is razor-thin.
The pressure, of course, will be enormous. Alabama isn’t just any college football program. It’s a national institution, with banners, legends, and a fanbase that expects excellence every Saturday. Simpson doesn’t get a warm-up season. He gets expectations—full force. Yet that pressure could also be the fuel that ignites him. He’s seen what greatness looks like from the sideline. He’s studied under stars, learned from mistakes, and sharpened his mind. And now he gets the chance to put it all together.
There’s also a symbolic weight to this moment. With Nick Saban now retired, and a new era of Alabama football taking shape under Coach DeBoer, Simpson’s rise represents more than just a change at quarterback. It marks a transition of identity. The program is evolving—offensively, culturally, and competitively—and Simpson is the first quarterback to carry that new vision onto the field. His success or failure won’t just shape this season—it will shape the narrative of Alabama’s next chapter.
For Simpson, this is the culmination of both personal faith and professional preparation. He’s spoken in the past about how important his Christian faith has been in keeping him grounded through the ups and downs of his career. At one point, after a frustrating spring scrimmage in his second year, he broke down emotionally, wondering if the game he loved was slipping away from him. It was his father who reminded him to center himself again—not around football, but around faith. “I’m a Christian first,” Simpson later said. “No matter how many touchdowns I throw, no matter how many wins I have at the University of Alabama, I know that I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Him.” That perspective has given him peace through the chaos and allowed him to focus on growth rather than impatience.
Now, that growth will be put to the ultimate test. The stadiums will be loud, the opponents will be relentless, and the critics will be waiting. But Simpson will have what every quarterback needs to succeed—belief from his coaches, trust from his teammates, and the experience that only time can teach. He’s not just walking into the fire; he’s walking into it prepared.
For Alabama fans, the wait is over. They’ve seen glimpses. They’ve heard the hype. But now they get to see Ty Simpson in full command, running the offense, leading the team, and writing his own story in a program steeped in tradition. Whether it ends in championships or challenges, one thing is certain: Ty Simpson has earned the right to lead.
It’s his time. And all of Alabama will be watching.
