Kalen DeBoer credits Ty Simpson's 'contagious' confidence as catalyst for Heisman hype

Ty Simpson‘s Heisman campaign is well underway amid Alabama‘s 7-1 start to the 2025 season. He’s playing as well as any quarterback in the country to this point, and his head coach has taken notice.

Calling into the Alabama coaches radio show on Wednesday, Kalen DeBoer discussed his quarterback’s big-time performance late in the game against South Carolina during Week 9. Chris Stewart, the Crimson Tide’s play-by-play announcer and host of Hey Coach and the Kalen DeBoer Show, questioned how anyone could have Simpson’s name off their Heisman Trophy list at this point in the season.

“Making the throws on the road, converting on a bunch of third downs, the fourth down touchdown at the end of the half (vs. South Carolina),” DeBoer said, listing Simpson’s Heisman-like qualities. “You kind of forget about that one. And how big of a throw that was, how big of a call, good execution.”

Simpson marched Alabama 81 yards down the field across nine plays during the final stretch of the first half. His touchdown pass to Josh Cuevas gave Alabama a 14-6 lead at halftime. However, the third quarter saw Alabama turn the ball over on downs and punt three different times.

During that stretch, South Carolina took the lead over the Crimson Tide. It wasn’t until within the final three minutes of regulation that Alabama would tie the game. A Gamecocks fumble allowed Alabama a chance to take the lead in the final minute of regulation — and did.

“Ty, fourth quarter there, that last drive, just really confident going out,” DeBoer continued. “That confidence is contagious and the rest of the guys that are around him — if your quarterbacks believing, then you’re off to a good start. I think it was really what spearheaded a lot of the confidence the guys had. Especially as they built momentum throughout the course of that drive there at the end of the game.”

So far this season, the redshirt sophomore has starred in his role as Alabama’s starting quarterback this season. It’s no surprise he’s getting such praise from his head coach.

He’s completely turned the Crimson Tides’ season since the season-opening loss at Florida State, leading Alabama to seven consecutive wins during that stretch. That included his most recent performance against the Gamecocks, throwing for 253 yards and two touchdowns during a 29-22 fourth quarter comeback on the road.

On the season, Simpson has thrown for 2,184 passing yards on 67.8% passing this season. He’s thrown 20 touchdowns — which currently leads the SEC — compared to one interception. Simpson’s 162.63 QB rating is second in the league as well.

If he wasn’t already all over Heisman Trophy lists, he is now. Simpson will look to continue his Heisman-esque season when Alabama returns to action on Nov. 8 against LSU.