The quarterback room at Alabama has seldom felt so alive. With the departure of Jalen Milroe to the NFL, the spotlight has firmly shifted to Ty Simpson, a redshirt junior who’s been waiting patiently for his chance to don the mantle of starting quarterback. This spring, Simpson entered camp with the poise of a seasoned contender. Then came the national spotlight beckoning through the Manning Passing Academy—and what he delivered during the first round of throws reverberated far beyond Louisiana.
The Manning Passing Academy, held June 26–29 at Nicholls State University, invited some of the country’s most elite quarterback talents. Among them were blue‑chip names such as Arch Manning, Cade Klubnik, Drew Allar, and Garrett Nussmeier, all under the watchful guidance of Peyton, Eli, and Archie Mannin. For Simpson, already viewed by Alabama’s coaching staff as their presumptive starter, the camp presented both a platform and a gauntlet. Compete here, and you’re measured against the national standard. Stand out—and you step into conversation as more than just a dark‑horse contender.
Video emerging on social media captured the moment from the camp’s first round of throws: Simpson uncorked a deep ball that threaded the needle between defenders, falling perfectly into his receiver’s stride. It wasn’t just the velocity that caught the eye—it was the calm, mechanical precision of delivery . There are deep‑ball throws, and there are shots. This was a shot: the kind scouts expect from recognized generational talents.
Observations from QB Country Nashville were immediately bold: “Alabama QB @ty_simpson06 is looking good down at Manning Passing Academy! ” . But admiration wasn’t just anecdotal. Thomas Morris, a respected QB scout, remarked that Simpson possessed “one of the top arms there, just strictly on arm talent,” adding provocatively that Simpson had “first‑round arm talent.” Morris noted that Simpson hadn’t impressed just on day one—he improved daily, culminating in his strongest performance on day three That kind of upward arc under national scrutiny speaks volumes.
Alabama’s offensive staff has taken notice too. Ryan Grubb, the team’s offensive coordinator, said Simpson had the “biggest jump from Day 1 to Day 2,” absorbing information and executing with visceral awareness . That echoes what scouts have observed: a quarterback who not only throws hard but processes quickly, reads coverage, and translates coaching cues into flawless drops and release with precision.
Yet, context remains key. Simpson earned his opportunity the hard way, outlasting two teammates—Austin Mack and freshman phenom Keelon Russell—in spring practice. Head coach Kalen DeBoer hinted that while Simpson currently leads the race, the competition remains wide open: “We’re not where we need to be at the quarterback position yet,” he cautioned . But even amid that restraint, praise has been clear. Grubb described Simpson as “an accurate thrower” who “showed out a little bit better” than his competition (. DeBoer himself admitted Simpson had “been around and just done a nice job”—suggesting maturity, leadership, and growth .
It’s not just coaches whose impressions matter. AJ McCarron, the Crimson Tide’s former championship quarterback, has publicly voiced confidence in Simpson. McCarron stressed that Simpson “has a ton of talent” and that, from an experience standpoint, “I think it’s his job to lose” . Such affirmations carry additional weight: McCarron knows what it takes to thrive and win at Alabama.
Simpson has earned his standing not only in practice but on the recruiting trail. A consensus five‑star out of Westview High School in Martin, Tennessee, Simpson burst onto the scene piling up 2,827 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and 862 rushing yards during his senior season . His early career—with limited game action behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe—showed flashes of promise: turbocharged mobility, accuracy under pressure, and explosive playmaking ability . Scout evaluations describe him as having excellent pocket presence, quick release, and NFL‑grade arm strength . Still, questions linger about his sustained accuracy and capacity to withstand SEC pressure over an entire season.
That surfacing question—how will Simpson translate boom during drills to production in actual SEC games?—was answered with nuance. At Manning Camp, more than just pure arm strength was on display. Simpson repeatedly gravitated toward challenging intermediate and vertical routes, connecting sharply to receivers, demonstrating timing, trajectory, and compelling ball‑placement. That kind of concentration and mechanical fluency suggests not just physical ability but discipline, an understanding of weight transfer, and pocket awareness—all essential attributes for converting talent into victories.
Sprinkling in quotes from Simpson adds perspective. After the camp, he told reporters: “I feel like I’ve waited my turn. I’m gonna make sure … we give our offense the best chance to win in any situation” . At Manning, he reflected on his skill set relative to Milroe: “Jalen … [was] freakish athlete … I feel like I’m good athlete as well … it just depends on what the game is that week” . That blend of confidence, respect, and self‑awareness indicates a quarterback keenly attuned to adapting his strengths to game demands.
Beyond throws and scouting reports, Simpson’s decision to stay in Tuscaloosa speaks to a maturing character. Despite limited early opportunities, he remained at Alabama, declining to transfer. That loyalty caught the eye of former coach Nick Saban, who called Simpson “a true example of development,” highlighting his two‑year maturation and self‑confidence . Retention isn’t just about skill—it reflects a mindset aligned with Alabama’s ethos: grind, stay, and grow.
Fan sentiment echoes that perspective. On Reddit boards filled with Tide fans, threads brim with encouragement. One fan in March posted: “Ryan Grubb thinks QB Ty Simpson is a real student of the game, has real football IQ, and is sneaky fast.” Another in January noted his devotion: “Really rooting for Ty. Hope he takes a step forward and shows out.” Those voices highlight a sense that a loyal, well‑coached prospect who builds gradually can reach elite status—and that’s exactly the trajectory Simpson appears to be tracking.
Some remain cautious, and understandably so. Simpson has yet to record a passing touchdown in college (his career stats: 29 completions on 50 attempts for 380 yards) . Scouts point to areas for improvement: pre‑snap reads, audible usage, and consistent accuracy on short, timing‑dependent throws . But that’s not jarring given his lack of starting reps, and inevitably those wrinkles smooth out with game exposure—something Simpson seemed to accelerate under Manning instruction.
The question remains: can first‑round flashes under camp lights translate to a full SEC campaign? Simpson’s arm is elite. His pocket poise and processing ability are being publicly validated. He’s earned the starting nod—but not the job—on Alabama’s depth chart. The spring momentum and summer camp performance are critical building blocks toward securing the job this fall.
As fall camp nears, the QB room dynamic is now sharper than ever. Mack brings fresh energy, Russell is developing explosiveness, and Simpson has momentum. But he’ll need to sustain it through rigorous drills, weight-room sessions, red‑zone work, and—most importantly—preseason scrimmages. His job is no longer just 1‑on‑1 reps; it’s leading the offense, crafting a cadence, commanding protection, trusting reads, and delivering touchdowns—the stuff last spring Monro and Bryce Young did to varying effect.
A successful first campaign could change the narrative. Simpson could lead Alabama into primetime games, the SEC gauntlet, and perhaps the College Football Playoff. A Monaco stat—ACC title. But even if he fails to complete the transformation, he’s still set up for a pro future, one racing toward the NFL with missed snaps felt in the pocket.
Yet for now, what we’ve seen—during the first throws of the Manning Passing Academy—is a player seizing his opportunity. The cannon-like throws, the consistency of mechanics, and the admiration from legends and scouts: they’ve all come together to ignite a QB competition that suddenly feels alive. That moment—a deep-ball strike, crisp and accurate—was more than a drill or video clip. It carried a message: Ty Simpson is ready. The question now is how he harnesses that promise when the lights shine brightest.
The race isn’t over. But the line has been drawn. And with that first round of throws, the QB battle may have a clear front-runner.
