Ty Simpson Named Alabama’s Starting Quarterback After Three-Year Wait, Ready to Lead Crimson Tide Offense in 2025
After three years of waiting, preparing, and competing, Ty Simpson finally heard the words he had been working toward since he arrived in Tuscaloosa: he is Alabama’s starting quarterback. Head coach Kalen DeBoer delivered the long-anticipated news on Monday, officially naming Simpson as the Crimson Tide’s starter for the 2025 season. It was a moment of affirmation for the redshirt junior, who has endured a gauntlet of depth chart battles, coaching transitions, and the pressure of living up to five-star expectations in one of the most scrutinized roles in all of college football. Now, with the starting job secured and the season opener against Florida State looming on August 30, Simpson steps into the spotlight as the next leader of Alabama’s storied offense.
Simpson’s journey to this moment has been anything but easy. Arriving at Alabama in 2022 as a highly-touted prospect out of Martin, Tennessee, he was one of the crown jewels of that recruiting class—a dual-threat quarterback with elite football IQ, strong fundamentals, and leadership instincts that stood out even in high school. But despite the hype, his first years in Tuscaloosa were defined more by patience than by playing time. He sat behind Bryce Young during his freshman year and then competed with Jalen Milroe and others for the starting role following Young’s departure. Each offseason brought fresh competition, new offensive coordinators, and the need to adjust his approach as the program evolved. Through it all, Simpson never transferred, never wavered, and never publicly complained. He just kept working.
That persistence has now paid off. Sources close to the program say Simpson separated himself during spring practices and carried that momentum into fall camp, showing consistent improvement in his timing, decision-making, and command of the offense. While the competition remained intense throughout the offseason, Simpson’s poise, experience, and grasp of Kalen DeBoer’s offensive philosophy ultimately gave him the edge. Coaches praised his ability to make quick reads, protect the football, and operate effectively both in and out of structure. As the practices progressed, it became clear that Simpson had matured not just physically, but mentally. He had taken ownership of the offense and earned the trust of his teammates in the process.
Simpson’s promotion is about more than just on-field ability—it also signals a changing of the guard and the start of a new era under DeBoer. While the Alabama quarterback position has long been associated with elite talent, it has also required adaptability and emotional toughness. The pressure to perform at Alabama is unlike any other environment in college football. Every mistake is magnified, every game carries championship implications, and every quarterback is expected to be a leader both on and off the field. Simpson now inherits that responsibility and all the weight that comes with it. But those who have watched his progression believe he is more than ready.
The quarterback has taken significant steps in building relationships with his receivers, offensive line, and coaching staff. His attention to detail in film study, his willingness to take coaching, and his ability to bounce back from mistakes have all contributed to a level of confidence among his teammates. Wide receivers have praised his timing and accuracy, noting that his throws consistently arrive on time and in stride. Coaches have highlighted his ability to communicate protections and audibles at the line of scrimmage—skills that will be critical when Alabama opens the season against a fast, aggressive Florida State defense in Atlanta.
The timing of the announcement also benefits the program’s overall preparation. With the starting job now settled, the offense can begin to build continuity and rhythm with Simpson at the helm. Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan will tailor the game plan to his strengths, emphasizing quick reads, play-action, and designed quarterback movement. Simpson’s dual-threat ability gives Alabama a versatile attack—one that can stretch defenses horizontally and vertically. He may not have the raw athleticism of some of his predecessors, but his composure, football IQ, and passing consistency offer a different kind of weapon for an offense seeking stability and explosiveness.
Simpson’s rise is also a testament to the value of development and patience in a college football era increasingly shaped by the transfer portal and NIL movement. In a time when many quarterbacks leave programs if they don’t start right away, Simpson chose to stay, compete, and grow. That decision, once seen as risky, now appears wise. By remaining at Alabama, he benefited from elite coaching, top-tier competition in practice, and an environment that forged his toughness. His story may serve as a model for future players who find themselves waiting behind entrenched starters but still believe in their path.
Alabama fans, meanwhile, are eager to see what Simpson brings to the field now that he’s in charge. His limited appearances over the past few seasons have shown flashes of potential, including sharp intermediate throws, smooth pocket mobility, and a willingness to extend plays without forcing turnovers. But now, he’ll be expected to put it all together over the course of a full season. The Crimson Tide schedule won’t be forgiving, and the margin for error in the SEC is razor thin. Simpson will have to handle road environments, ranked opponents, and postseason pressure—all while meeting the expectations that come with the Alabama quarterback lineage.
Still, the energy around Simpson’s promotion is overwhelmingly positive. Players have voiced support, coaches are optimistic, and the fan base sees in him a figure who understands both the privilege and the pressure of the role. His humility and work ethic have earned respect inside the locker room, and his leadership style—calm, focused, and unshaken—mirrors the kind of demeanor that past Alabama greats have displayed on the biggest stages. He may not be the loudest voice, but he has shown he can be the most trusted one.
As the countdown to the opener against Florida State continues, the next few weeks will be critical for fine-tuning Alabama’s offense and giving Simpson every opportunity to settle in as the full-time leader. While the battle for the backup quarterback spot remains ongoing, the importance of a clear-cut starter cannot be overstated. It brings focus to the offense, sets the tone for practices, and allows the team to rally around a single identity. With Simpson at the helm, Alabama will look to combine its traditional physical dominance with the kind of efficiency and explosiveness needed to win in today’s college football.
Simpson now enters a role once held by legends—players like A.J. McCarron, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, and Bryce Young—all of whom led Alabama to College Football Playoff appearances and national titles. While comparisons are inevitable, Simpson’s journey has been uniquely his own. He didn’t burst onto the scene as a freshman. He didn’t transfer in to seize the job. He stayed. He worked. He waited. And now, with the starting job his, he finally has the opportunity to show Alabama—and the rest of the country—why he was worth the wait.
The pressure will be enormous, the spotlight unforgiving. But Ty Simpson didn’t just win the job. He earned it. And now, for the first time in his Alabama career, the Crimson Tide is his team to lead. The journey to this moment was long, but the next chapter starts now—with Simpson under center, the ball in his hands, and the season on the horizon.
