Would Ty Simpson have played this well in 2024? The Alabama QB answers

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Ty Simpson has been one of the best players in college football through the first eight weeks of the 2025 season. The Alabama quarterback ranks among the top 10 in the country in passing yards (1,931), passing touchdowns (18) and passer rating (170.92) and has led the Crimson Tide to a 6-1 (4-0 SEC) record and to No. 4 in the national polls.

Simpson, a redshirt junior, is in his fourth year in the Alabama program, but first as the starter. He spent the last two seasons as Jalen Milroe’s backup before winning the job prior to the 2025 campaign. But what if he had been given the same opportunity last season, in Kalen DeBoer’s first year as the Tide head coach? Could Simpson have played as well as this year?

“Who knows, right? I feel like that’s such a big, hypothetical question,” said Simpson after Tuesday’s practice. “Do I feel like I’m the same player? No. But I feel like I have the same ability. So, who knows? It didn’t happen, but I’m glad that God’s put me here.”

Simpson has certainly taken advantage of his opportunity this fall, throwing for 200-plus yards and multiple touchdowns in all seven games, and is firmly in the mix for the 2025 Heisman. He has also taken on a larger leadership role, having been voted a captain by his teammates.

After Tuesday’s South Carolina week practice, Simpson revealed how he is different in Year 4.

“More mature,” Simpson said. “Understand things better. Just letting the game come to me. Not trying to do too much. Just having fun.

“I felt like a lot of times in my years past, I just, it almost felt like I was here and not enjoying it. Like, just kind of miserable walking into the building, not knowing what I’m gonna get into, not knowing how it’s gonna go today, instead of just embracing it and understanding my role and understanding that God’s blessed me to be at the best university in the world, with the best team, with the best coaches.”

His teammates praised Simpson’s performance in his first year as the Alabama quarterback.

“I think he’s been playing lights out, man,” wide receiver Germie Bernard said. “He’s been able to watch and learn — that’s a good thing of being able to learn from older people. I mean, I was once in that position, so just for him to be able to sit back and learn and then take all those things that he learned. 

“Everybody knew he had the ability to do so, or else he wouldn’t be at Bama. So, it wasn’t the lack of ability, but I think he’s been doing a great job for us, man, and he’s gonna continue to get better. He’s gonna continue to get better. He’s a tremendous quarterback, and he has guys behind him that’s gonna back him up throughout each game.”

We’ll never know what would have happened had Simpson played a year ago, but he is playing at an elite level right now. With that comes a lot of attention, which can be a distraction for some players. How is Simpson, in particular, blocking out all of the positive noise around him?

He explained while revealing the mantra inside the Crimson Tide’s 2025 quarterback room.

“I just wanna win, period, point blank,” Simpson said. “Whatever it takes to share those three to five minutes in the locker room like I had after last week, that’s all I care about, man. And I will make sure that I do everything I can to prepare. We say in the quarterback room, ‘Prepare like you’ve never won. Perform like you’ve never lost.’ 

“So, that’s how our mindset is, and whatever it takes, that’s all I care about. So, that’s what I’m gonna do.”

Want to talk with the BamaOnLine staff and thousands of other Alabama fans about all the latest Crimson Tide team and recruiting intel? CLICK HERE to join daily conversations about Alabama and much, much more on the site’s premium BOL Round Table message board.