As the scorching August sun beats down on Tuscaloosa, the anticipation surrounding Alabama football is reaching a fever pitch. With just over a month left before the Crimson Tide storm onto the field to begin their 2025 college football campaign, all eyes have turned to a familiar name who now finds himself at the center of one of the most demanding positions in sports. Ty Simpson, a former five-star recruit who has patiently waited his turn, is now stepping into the limelight as Alabama’s presumed starting quarterback. It’s a role that has defined legends, broken careers, and shaped national championship narratives. And for Simpson, it represents the moment his years of perseverance, preparation, and quiet belief finally get put to the test.
Simpson’s rise to the top of the depth chart has been anything but straightforward. Since arriving on campus in 2022, the Martin, Tennessee native has sat behind a series of talented signal-callers. First, it was Bryce Young, the Heisman-winning maestro of the 2021 season, followed by Jalen Milroe, a dual-threat standout who brought flashes of brilliance but inconsistencies that ultimately opened the door for Simpson’s moment. Throughout his time on the sidelines, Simpson showed maturity beyond his years. There were no public complaints, no transfer portal flirtations, no signs of entitlement. Instead, he quietly went to work—learning the system, refining his mechanics, and waiting patiently for Nick Saban’s nod.
That nod appears to have arrived. While the coaching staff hasn’t officially named a starter, insiders and practice reports indicate that Simpson has taken the lion’s share of first-team reps this summer. The Tide’s offensive staff has been tailoring the playbook to Simpson’s strengths—sharp decision-making, smooth footwork in the pocket, and a quick, accurate release. His arm talent has never been in question. But what’s impressed coaches and teammates most is his command of the huddle and growing leadership voice. It’s clear to many within the program that this is now Ty Simpson’s team.
But taking the reins of Alabama’s offense isn’t like earning a starting job at just any college program. It comes with immense scrutiny, national media attention, and the weight of historical expectations. This is the same program that’s produced names like Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, Jalen Hurts, and the aforementioned Bryce Young. Championships are not hopes in Tuscaloosa—they’re demands. Anything less than a College Football Playoff appearance is deemed a disappointment. The quarterback wears that pressure more than anyone else.
Simpson, for his part, seems unbothered. He’s had time to learn from the high-stakes nature of Alabama football and has built relationships within the locker room that will help steady the team through inevitable adversity. In interviews, Simpson exudes a calm confidence, often deflecting praise onto his teammates and emphasizing his desire to be a facilitator within the Tide’s system. That attitude resonates well in a locker room packed with NFL-caliber talent and guided by a coaching staff that prizes humility and toughness.
One area where Simpson could shine in 2025 is in his chemistry with Alabama’s loaded receiving corps. The Tide boast a potent mix of veteran targets and rising stars. Wideouts like Kendrick Law and Kobe Prentice are expected to thrive with a more consistent passer delivering the ball. Add to that tight end Amari Niblack, who has drawn comparisons to NFL stars with his size and athleticism, and Simpson will have no shortage of weapons. His ability to read coverages quickly and deliver strikes in tight windows could unlock an offense that at times looked stagnant under Milroe’s up-and-down tenure.
The offensive line, long a hallmark of Alabama’s dominance, is also expected to be more cohesive this season. Led by returning anchor Tyler Booker and bolstered by a few key transfer additions, the front five should give Simpson ample time to operate. That’s critical for a quarterback who excels in rhythm passing and needs a clean pocket to fully utilize his strengths. Expect the Tide to lean on their running game early to ease Simpson into action, but don’t be surprised if his passing ability starts to take center stage by midseason.
There’s also an added dimension to Simpson’s game that hasn’t yet been fully showcased—his mobility. While not as explosive a runner as Milroe, Simpson has enough athleticism to extend plays, evade pressure, and pick up crucial first downs with his legs. This facet of his game could prove vital against SEC defenses that bring exotic blitz packages and relentless pressure. The ability to create something out of nothing is often what separates good quarterbacks from great ones in this league.
Simpson’s journey is also emblematic of the new era of college football. In an age dominated by NIL deals, the transfer portal, and instant gratification, he represents a throwback mentality. Rather than jump ship for easier playing time elsewhere, he stayed loyal to Alabama, bet on his own development, and trusted the process. That decision now appears to be paying dividends. It’s a story that has endeared him to Crimson Tide faithful, who value toughness and commitment just as much as talent and accolades.
As Alabama begins its quest for another national title, all signs suggest Simpson will be the man steering the ship. And he’ll be doing it with perhaps the greatest support system in college football. Nick Saban may be in the twilight of his legendary career, but his presence still casts a long shadow over the program. The staff around him, including offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, has been working closely with Simpson to simplify progressions and build confidence early. The goal is not just to win games—but to turn Simpson into a difference-maker by the time conference play intensifies.
Outside of Tuscaloosa, national analysts are beginning to take notice. Some still list Alabama as a team in transition, given the uncertainty of a new quarterback and shifting identity post-Saban era, but many are predicting a surprise breakout campaign. Much of that optimism hinges on Simpson. If he can be steady, accurate, and composed under fire, the Crimson Tide could be in the thick of the College Football Playoff hunt by December. If he exceeds expectations, a Heisman campaign isn’t entirely out of the question.
It’s important to remember that growth for a first-year starter rarely follows a straight line. There will be rough patches—interceptions, miscommunications, and moments where Simpson will be forced to respond to failure. But that’s precisely what Alabama’s grueling schedule is built to reveal. From the season opener against Michigan State to SEC gauntlets versus LSU and Georgia, Simpson will be tested early and often. Each performance will be measured not only by fans but by NFL scouts, critics, and every sports media outlet looking for cracks in Alabama’s armor.
Still, Simpson isn’t just trying to live up to the expectations of the Crimson Tide legacy. He’s trying to carve out his own. With a father who coached college football and a childhood spent immersed in the game, Ty Simpson has always seemed destined for this moment. He carries the instincts of a coach’s son, the mechanics of a seasoned passer, and now, the opportunity of a lifetime.
This season could ultimately be a defining chapter in Alabama football history. With questions swirling about the future of Nick Saban, whispers about succession plans, and a rapidly changing landscape in the SEC, the 2025 campaign feels like a pivot point. And at the center of it all stands Ty Simpson—quietly confident, battle-tested in practice if not yet on the biggest stage, and ready to turn potential into production.
If history has taught us anything, it’s that Alabama quarterbacks don’t just emerge—they arrive. Mac Jones went from relative unknown to national champion. Bryce Young stepped into a pressure cooker and delivered a Heisman. Ty Simpson is walking a similar path, but he’ll have to forge it in his own unique way. There are no guarantees in college football. But there are moments when preparation meets opportunity. And for Ty Simpson, that moment is now.
He isn’t just Alabama’s next quarterback. He’s the new face of a program that has dominated the sport for over a decade. How far the Crimson Tide go in 2025 may well depend on how far Ty Simpson can take them. And in Tuscaloosa, where the expectations never waver and the spotlight never dims, that’s exactly how he wants it.
