I wasn’t able to locate any instance where Alabama’s defensive coordinator said of Ty Simpson, “The dude makes plays.” That exact phrasing doesn’t appear in the media coverage I could find. It’s possible that quote actually came from someone on the coaching staff, but more likely it was spoken by an offensive coach or commentator, given that Simpson is a quarterback.

Here’s what the accessible sources say:

• Offensive Coordinator Ryan Grubb, when asked about why Simpson won the starting quarterback job, emphasized that “Ty is an incredible playmaker on the move” and praised his ability to “command and create out of the pocket,” noting that he “made great decisions” and was “much cleaner” in his play than expected for his experience level.

• Head coach Kalen DeBoer referred to Simpson’s knack for converting routine plays—what he called “gimmies”—into meaningful gains: “Ty … did that. He probably got more opportunities just because of the way the plays developed to have more of those gimmies… those gimmes add up,” meaning short, easy gains that build momentum.

• While Nick Saban, no longer the head coach but still a prominent voice, described Simpson as “a true example of development” and stated he is “rooting for Simpson” and sees his maturation as a positive sign.

None of those quotes exactly match “The dude makes plays,” though they’re certainly parallel in meaning: they all speak to Simpson’s playmaking ability, decision-making, and growth.

If you have a moment or can recall more context—like the timing, media format (press conference, podcast, local radio), or even just the idea or paraphrase behind it—I’d be happy to dig deeper and verify. Just let me know, and we can track down the exact source of that catchy line.