Ty Simpson Earns the Crimson #1 Role: Alabama’s Long-Awaited Leader Set to Debut Against FSU
In a move that shocked no one but excited nearly everyone in Tuscaloosa, Alabama officially named Ty Simpson as its starting quarterback, setting the stage for a new era under center as the Crimson Tide prepares to face Florida State on August 30. It’s the first major quarterback decision of the Kalen DeBoer era and one that signals the program’s trust in both consistency and quiet development. For Simpson, a former five-star recruit who waited patiently in the wings for three seasons, the announcement marks the end of a long journey filled with waiting, working, and unwavering belief that his time would come.
Simpson’s ascension to QB1 is not only a reward for perseverance but a calculated decision based on his camp performance, system fit, and leadership maturity. Throughout spring and summer workouts, Simpson emerged as the most efficient and composed quarterback on Alabama’s depth chart. Reports from inside the program cited his command of the offense, decision-making under pressure, and rare ability to “calm the game down” as separating factors in a competitive room that also includes Washington transfer Austin Mack and standout freshman Keelon Russell.
This moment didn’t come easily for Simpson. After enrolling early in 2022 with lofty expectations, he spent his freshman season behind Bryce Young, rarely seeing the field. In 2023, he briefly entered the starting competition but was ultimately passed over in favor of Jalen Milroe. While others in similar positions might have entered the transfer portal, Simpson stayed. He stayed through the coaching change from Nick Saban to Kalen DeBoer. He stayed despite watching younger quarterbacks gain national attention. And now, that patience has paid off in the form of the most coveted position in college football.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer was quick to praise Simpson’s work ethic and attitude throughout camp. According to DeBoer, the decision to name a starter before the end of August was as much about giving the team direction as it was about rewarding consistency. The earlier-than-expected announcement allows Simpson to take full control of the offense heading into a high-profile season opener against Florida State—a game that could very well shape the early trajectory of Alabama’s season. For a first-time starter, the pressure is real. But so is the opportunity.
While Simpson has yet to start a game at the college level, those who’ve watched him closely over the last few years believe he’s more than ready. At 6-foot-2 and 203 pounds, he brings a blend of athleticism and arm talent that fits well within the new offensive scheme brought in by coordinator Ryan Grubb. Simpson isn’t a traditional dual-threat quarterback, but he can extend plays with his legs and deliver the ball accurately on the run. In camp, his ability to avoid turnovers and make clean reads impressed coaches and teammates alike. His total command of the playbook, combined with his steady demeanor in the pocket, earned him not just the job—but the confidence of the locker room.
Grubb, who worked with elite QBs at Washington, emphasized the importance of mental processing in the Tide’s new offense. Simpson’s understanding of coverages and his ability to get the ball out quickly made him a natural fit. Grubb noted that Simpson’s development was less about a lightbulb moment and more about steady progression over time—something that’s often lost in today’s fast-paced college football landscape.
It’s that patience and process-driven development that makes Simpson such an unusual story in modern college football. In an era where players switch schools at the first sign of competition, Simpson’s decision to stay and fight for his role is being hailed as a refreshing throwback. His father, Jason Simpson, is a longtime college coach himself, and those close to the family credit that background with instilling a long-term mindset. Simpson didn’t just want to play quarterback; he wanted to do it at Alabama.
That commitment will be tested immediately. The August 30 season opener against Florida State in Tallahassee isn’t a warm-up—it’s a marquee matchup between two storied programs. While Alabama enters the game as a slight favorite, the Seminoles are hungry and experienced. Simpson will need to prove early that he can manage the speed and intensity of high-level college football. The good news for Alabama is that they aren’t asking him to do it alone.
This year’s Alabama roster is stacked with weapons, particularly at running back and wide receiver. Simpson will have the benefit of handing the ball off to one of the deepest backfields in the SEC and throwing to a receiving corps that blends speed, size, and experience. Add to that an offensive line that returns multiple starters, and the pieces are in place for Simpson to succeed—if he stays within himself and lets the game come to him.
Behind Simpson, the quarterback depth chart remains strong. Austin Mack, the redshirt freshman who transferred from Washington with DeBoer and Grubb, had a solid camp and remains a viable backup option. Mack’s knowledge of the offensive system could become critical if injuries occur. Meanwhile, Keelon Russell, a true freshman and former five-star recruit, is viewed as the future of the program. But for now, the present belongs to Simpson, and Alabama coaches are determined to give him every chance to own the role.
From a program perspective, naming Simpson the starter is also a message about stability. Following the retirement of Nick Saban, Alabama entered an era of uncertainty. DeBoer’s hiring was met with mixed reactions at first, but since then, he’s taken deliberate steps to build continuity, not chaos. Choosing Simpson—someone who knows the culture, understands expectations, and stayed when others didn’t—is consistent with that approach. It tells the locker room that loyalty and development still matter, even in the age of NIL deals and transfer portals.
It also gives Alabama fans something to rally behind. Crimson-clad faithful were quick to show support on social media, with fans celebrating the decision as both the logical and emotional choice. Simpson isn’t just a quarterback—he’s a symbol of a new era that still honors the principles of the old one: compete, commit, contribute.
Of course, none of this guarantees success. Simpson has never been tested in a four-quarter dogfight. He hasn’t faced elite defenses on the road. He hasn’t had to bounce back from a bad interception in a one-score game with 60,000 screaming fans in his ears. That test is coming—and it’s coming fast. But for now, he has the keys. And if the early reviews are any indication, he plans to drive this offense with calm confidence, not reckless abandon.
How Alabama’s season unfolds will depend heavily on how quickly Simpson settles into his new role. The SEC schedule, as always, is unforgiving. After Florida State, the Tide faces a brutal stretch that includes road games at LSU and Georgia, plus home tilts with Texas A&M and Auburn. There won’t be any time for a learning curve. Simpson will be expected to play like a veteran, even if he’s just now stepping into the spotlight.
The coaches believe he can do it. His teammates believe it. And perhaps most importantly, Simpson believes it. That confidence isn’t brash—it’s been earned through years of behind-the-scenes work, film study, late-night reps, and a refusal to quit when others might have. That’s what makes this story so compelling. Ty Simpson didn’t get handed the job. He earned it. And now, he’s ready to show why he’s been worth the wait.
As the sun rises over Tuscaloosa and the countdown to kickoff continues, Alabama fans everywhere are pulling out their crimson and preparing for a new season—one that begins with a new quarterback, a new coach, and a renewed sense of purpose. Simpson won’t just be stepping under center on August 30. He’ll be stepping into a legacy.
And if all goes to plan, he might just add his own chapter to the storybook that is Alabama football.
