Summary:
- Ty Simpson will start at quarterback for Alabama, with the decision announced to the team on Monday.
- The redshirt junior beat out Austin Mack and Keelon Russell after showing strong command of the offense in preseason.
- Simpson’s first start will come on August 30 against Florida State.
Ty Simpson has officially been named Alabama’s starting quarterback for the 2025 College Football season, sources told ESPN on Monday.
The announcement came during a team meeting, where players learned that the redshirt junior would be leading the Crimson Tide offense when the season kicks off.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb had hinted throughout the summer that Simpson was the frontrunner, often saying he’d be the starter “if the Crimson Tide were to play a game right then”.
Now, with fall camp underway, that speculation has turned into certainty.
Ty Simpson, entering his fourth year in Tuscaloosa, has spent the past two seasons as the backup. He edged out redshirt sophomore Austin Mack and true freshman Keelon Russell, both of whom were in the mix during Alabama’s first preseason scrimmage last Saturday.
While sources told ESPN that all three quarterbacks performed well, Simpson’s poise, decision-making, and command of the playbook stood out. He appeared the most comfortable running the offense, a factor that helped seal the decision.
At 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds, Simpson has yet to make a start for Alabama, but he’s no stranger to high-pressure moments. His most significant playing time came two years ago in a road game against South Florida.
Entering the second quarter of a 3-3 contest, Simpson guided Alabama to 17 unanswered points in a 17-3 victory. That day, he completed 5-of-9 passes for 73 yards and scored on a one-yard touchdown run.
Back in 2023, Simpson battled Jalen Milroe for the starting role in preseason camp. Milroe initially won the job but was benched against South Florida after early struggles.
Simpson and Tyler Buchner shared snaps in that game, before Milroe reclaimed the position for the remainder of the season and all of 2024.
A highly regarded recruit, Simpson was ranked by ESPN as the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the 2022 class. He committed to Alabama over offers from Clemson and Tennessee, and comes from a football family, as his father, Jason, is the head coach at UT Martin.
Simpson’s first test as the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback will be a challenging one.
Alabama opens its 2025 campaign on August 30 with a high-profile road matchup against Florida State, a game that will put his leadership and skill set immediately under the spotlight, us bettors can get the best odds with selected sportsbooks ahead of the season.
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