Nick Saban says Alabama QB Ty Simpson is 'a true example of development'

Nick Saban called quarterback Ty Simpson the epitome of what it’s like to develop a college quarterback within a program. Saban, who recruited Simpson, saw the QB grow into a potential starter for Alabama.

Simpson is in the thick of the competition between him, Austin Mack and freshman Keelon Russell. Jalen Milroe held the mantle over the last two years and head coach Kalen DeBoer updated his timeline to name a starter, likely coming close to the fall.

But one thing’s for sure, Saban has his eyes on Simpson potentially winning the job. Over the last couple of years, he’s developed the right way.

“Ty was an outstanding high school player, no doubt. He’s a fine young man,” Saban said at Nick’s Kids Golf Tournament. “I think his example is a true example of development. He matured for two years, and now he’s getting an opportunity, and his experiences will help him be successful.”

Over the course of three seasons in total, Simpson played sparingly. He is 29-of-50 passing (58%) for 381 yards.

As a member of the Class of 2022, Simpson was a five-star recruit out of Martin (Tenn.) Westview, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 2 overall prospect in the state, the No. 2 quarterback in the class and the No. 25 overall prospect in the class.

With Mack following DeBoer from Washington last year and Russell having a lot of hype, no one’s made a move quite yet. That should make for a tight competition and one that certainly won’t be an easy decision to make. But having been a part of a number of these battles throughout his career, DeBoer further explained what he looks for in naming a starter.

“I’ve had a lot of these kind of competitions over the years,” he said. “When you do it for 25 years, I don’t know if it’s three, four, five, but there’s been a handful of competitions to some level where there’s two guys, three guys, a guy coming in that’s a transfer and all that. You’ve really got to be thorough.

“I think in the end, it’s who can move the ball down the field. People sometimes get caught up in who’s great now, who had the best completion percentage and all those things. Those are all important. But I think in the end it’s who’s moving the ball down the field for the ones and the twos most consistently when you’re here in practice each and every day.”