Football
Tide’s Simpson receives backing from pair of Alabama greats
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — At least one former Alabama quarterback doesn’t believe the Crimson Tide’s is as wide open as many think it is.
A.J. McCarron made his stance clear, it’s Ty Simpson’s job to lose going into the 2025 season opener against Florida State inside Doak Walker Stadium Aug. 30.
“I think it’s [Ty Simpson’s] job to lose,” McCarron said Tuesday on the Dynasty Podcast. “Not only from an experience standpoint, I think he has a ton of talent. I’ve worked with Ty, have trained with him in the past even when he was a young pup coming out of high school. I think he has a ton of arm talent. He can make every throw on the field. I think he’s very underrated using his feet as well.”
Simpson is entering his redshirt junior and has quietly waited for his turn under the big lights of Bryant-Denney Stadium.
He was a five-star recruit out of Tennessee in 2022, ranked the No. 4 quarterback nationally and No. 29 overall by 247Sports.
Yet, his path at Alabama has been defined by patience and the willingness to learn behind the likes of Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe.
In three seasons, Simpson has appeared in 12 games completing 29 of 50 passes for 381 yards with most snaps coming in mop up duty.
Despite all the snaps, he’s still searching for his first touchdown at the college level.
“[Simpson] has a ton of arm talent,” McCarron said. “He can make every throw on the field. I think he’s very underrated using his feet as well, being able to escape the pocket when he needs to or throw into zone-read when you lull the defense to sleep and they’re thinking you’re handing it off to Jam Miller, and all of a sudden you pull it and bust around the edge. He has plenty of enough talent to go out there, win this job and keep it.”
The competition for the starting spot is fierce, with redshirt sophomore Austin Mack and five-star freshman Keelon Russell pushing hard for the starting spot.
But, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb was pleased with Simpson’s composure behind center as he flashed ability as an old school field general.
“We completed our post-spring evaluations with the players, Ty took care of the football better and operated more effectively,” Grubb said. “I thought he showed improvement for an older quarterback.”
McCarron isn’t the only former Tide quarterback to publicly back Simpson either as Greg McElroy, another national champion under center in Tuscaloosa gave him a glowing review this summer.
“Ty’s poise has always been his calling card,” McElroy said on ESPN Radio. “He’s had time to learn from some of the best, and now it’s his turn to lead.”
This vote of confidence is meaningful, especially as Alabama continues its transitions under second year coach Kalen DeBoer, who replaced Nick Saban after his storied run.
DeBoer, for his part, has praised the “healthy competition” in the room and the leadership Simpson has brought to offseason workouts.
Alabama’s quarterback competition is more than a battle of arms; it’s a referendum on how the Crimson Tide will adapt to a new era.
DeBoer’s offense, known for its blend of power and tempo, puts a premium on decision-making and accuracy.
Simpson’s collegiate experience and versatility combined with his raw talent, appears well-suited to run the show, but Mack’s pocket presence and Russell’s playmaking ability mean the race is far from over at this point of the offseason.
Recruiting analysts have praised Russell in particular, noting his surgical passing style, athleticism and a battle-tested resume throughout his high school career.
Yet, DeBoer and Grubb have both emphasized experience matters, especially in the SEC.
“Ty earned [the starting spot],” Grubb said during the spring. “That’s the line everybody’s looking for. That is what he earned.”
With summer workouts ramping up, Simpson’s focus has shifted to building trust with his offense and translating practice reps into gameday execution.
Even anonymous coaches who gave their thoughts to Athlon Sports this summer believe Simpson’s time waiting has yet to be wasted.
“He’s got the size, the arm, and the athleticism,” an anonymous SEC coach said last month. “Most importantly, he knows the system and has the respect of the locker room.”
As fall camp approaches, the quarterback battle will remain the headline story in Tuscaloosa.
For now, though, Ty Simpson appears to have the inside track fueled by the confidence of his coaches, backing of Alabama legends and a roster eager to prove itself in a new era.
The Crimson Tide’s success in 2025 may well hinge on whether Simpson can turn potential into production when the lights are brightest.
Whatever happens, Simpson’s journey from highly touted recruit to presumptive starter is a testament to patience in a sport that rarely waits.
And as Alabama fans look to the future, they’ll be watching to see if the redshirt junior can seize the opportunity that’s finally in his hands or crumble under pressure from the talent behind him.
