Paul Finebaum reacts to Alabama naming Ty Simpson starting QB, what it means for program

Everything’s coming up for Alabama as Ty Simpson was named the Crimson Tide starting quarterback for the 2025 season. That’s the way Paul Finebaum sees it.

Finebaum is of the belief that Year 2 of Kalen DeBoer will ultimately mean Alabama is back in the national championship conversation. After a 9-4 campaign in 2024, it’d be quite a jump.

But, Simpson signals that change and development. This was the right move made in the QB room, per Finebaum.

“I think it’s good news, I think it’s the least surprising story of the off season,” Finebaum said on McElroy and Cubelic. “But I think it shows that most instincts were correct that he was the right quarterback, Kalen DeBoer knew this probably a long time ago. But it just means to me that this program is in tremendously solid shape. There’s no longer a conversation. If he doesn’t play well, it doesn’t mean anything, as you know Cole, but right now, I think everything coming out of Tuscaloosa that I hear is a really positive sign, because that’s all I’m hearing. 

“And I know some people will say, ‘hey, it’s August. We always hear this.’ Not always, you hear whispers sometimes. I haven’t heard anything that would indicate that this team is going to be anything but a national championship contender.”

Simpson beat out Austin Mack and Keelon Russell for the position. Mack is entering his second season with the program after following DeBoer to Tuscaloosa from Washington. Russell will still be someone Alabama fans are excited about moving forward, being a true freshman with a former Five-Star Plus+ designation.

Simpson enters his fourth year with the program, but has thrown just 50 passes in his collegiate career. He is 29-of-50 for 381 yards over the course of 16 game appearances.

As a member of the Class of 2022, Simpson was a five-star recruit out of Martin (Tenn.) Westview, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking. 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.

“Ty is an accurate passer,” DeBoer said in July at SEC Media Days. “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.”