What Ty Simpson, Kalen DeBoer said about Alabama's QB1 decision

Alabama announced to the team on Monday that Ty Simpson would be its starting quarterback for the 2025 season. But Simpson and the Crimson Tide’s other two quarterbacks, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, were informed before the decision was shared with the entire team.

“(Ryan) Grubb, (Nick) Sheridan and (Kalen) DeBoer came in our quarterback meetings earlier, and it was just like, ‘Hey guys, we’ve come to a decision and Ty is going to be our starter,’” Simpson told Yea Alabama. “They went through the Xs and Os of why I would be the starter and said they were really, really proud of the QB room for how tight-knit we were.”

Simpson, a redshirt junior, will start Alabama’s season opener at Florida State on August 30. In his fourth year in Tuscaloosa, Simpson has waited his turn – a rarity in today’s college athletics – and will be rewarded for his patience by being deemed the starter of the 2025 squad.

He battled Jalen Milroe prior to the 2023 season and then served as the latter’s backup for the past two years, appearing in 12 total games. Now, he will begin the upcoming fall as QB1.

“My journey is like no other,” Simpson said. “And I think it meant a lot to the guys as well, knowing that I’ve had opportunities to leave and I didn’t because I want to be here and I want to be with my guys. 

“Not only is it hard, sitting and waiting in this new era of college football, but you are sitting and waiting at the best, most competitive college football program in the nation. So I’m very excited for the opportunity I’ve been given.”

Simpson’s loyalty to the University of Alabama makes his story almost unique nowadays, and it’s why naming him the starter was rewarding to DeBoer, who enters his second year at UA.

“That’s what’s great, and why I love rooting for Ty, is just the journey he’s been on and the way he’s been loyal to Alabama, loyal to his teammates,” DeBoer told Yea Alabama. “He continued to stay and keep fighting and do it in a way where he never lowered his level of character, and always kept being a great teammate, first and foremost. 

“So it makes it makes it really easy, from a teammate standpoint, to root for him.”

Simpson is the most experienced quarterback on Alabama’s roster, and with Milroe moving on to the NFL, he has assumed a leadership role, not only on the offense but the entire team.

“He really came into fall camp and had this way about him that was just confident, had a swagger,” DeBoer said. “But not something where it was all about him or in an arrogant way. He’s continued to take steps from what he did this spring. And he’s done a great job taking care of the football and still being a guy who will push it down the field and create explosives. 

“He’s just been really consistent, and that’s what you’re looking for. He’s been really good as a leader, and just the command of the offense and the trust that everyone has in him, you can see it continue to build.”

Simpson has put together a strong offseason, whether being added to the Alabama leadership group, participating in the Manning Passing Academy or holding off his fellow quarterbacks for the starting job. Mack and Russell also pushed for the coveted role, but the veteran ultimately won the battle. There were no hard feelings, however, among the tight-knit room.

“One thing that’s cool to me is that that room is crazy tight,” DeBoer said. “So when I keep saying that there’s a healthy competition and there’s a high level of character, and that these guys are really focused on themselves first and foremost, and leading in their own way, it all overlaps. 

“No one’s really feeling like they’re getting their toes stepped on or overstepping their bounds, like it’s real. Because with those three guys, everything I just said about Ty is what I can say about Austin and Keelon in their progression.”

Finally being named Alabama’s starting quarterback, after three years in the program, is a dream come true for Simpson. He shared with Yea Alabama how those dreams typically end.

“Yeah, well, it ended in confetti in Miami, Florida,” Simpson said. “Especially with the chance to leave a legacy under Kalen DeBoer, a first national championship at Alabama. So I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

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