Kalen DeBoer evaluates Ty Simpson's greatest strengths as Alabama quarterback

Ty Simpson still currently projects to be Alabama’s QB1 with five weeks until kickoff for the Crimson Tide. That’s with a few aspects separating him so far, both on and off the field, in their quarterback competition.

Kalen DeBoer was asked to name those separators for Simpson during a press conference last week while at SEC Media Days in Atlanta. That started with his play with the type of ball that he throws while being as mobile as either of the others in the room.

“You know, mechanically, I mean, he’s pretty tight with everything. Does a nice job, throws a really catchable ball,” said DeBoer. “I think that’s one of the things as a quarterback, right. You’ve got to be making the right reads and all that but, you know, your footwork and all that. He can extend plays. I think all three of our quarterbacks can do that. But, you know Ty is an accurate passer. He throws a catchable ball and I think that’s so key. Whether it’s down the field, whether it’s crossing routes, quick outs, comebacks? I mean, he throws a catchable ball, one that’s easy to receive as a receiver. You can throw it hard, you can throw it soft and it doesn’t mean it’s always easy to catch. And so, he does that.”

Then, DeBoer also likes where Simpson is with his mindset. He thinks he has developed just as much there when it comes to getting to the next play and his belief in the play of himself and his teammates.

“I think, from a mentality standpoint, I really like the growth that I’ve seen where he just doesn’t over analyze, he doesn’t, you know. He’s just being able to have the mindset of moving on,” said DeBoer. “You know, just trying to instill that, you know – do what you do and that’s going to be enough. You don’t need to try to do too much and I think he’s really operating, doing those type of things. Believing in his skill set, believing in the guys around him.”

Simpson is still in a quarterback competition against Austin Mack and Keelon Russell in Tuscaloosa. Simpson, though, has the most experience, overall and with the program, having been a backup for the Tide for three seasons now behind Bryce Young and then Jalen Milroe. He has made 16 appearances in that time in which he has completed 58% of his passes for 381 yards while also rushing for 130 yards and three more scores.

Because of all that, Simpson is presently set to be the starting quarterback this fall for ‘Bama. That said, he’ll have to continue to show it next week when the Tide take the field again for fall camp going into August.