BREAKING NEWS: Ty Simpson Emerges as Alabama’s Starting Quarterback After Stellar Spring – Set to Succeed Jalen Milroe in Post-Saban Era
In a decision that signals a new chapter for Alabama football and could define the trajectory of the program in the post-Saban era, Ty Simpson has officially been named the starting quarterback for the Crimson Tide, following a spring campaign that left both coaches and players impressed by his maturity, accuracy, and command of the offense.
The announcement was made Saturday morning by head coach Kalen DeBoer, who took over in 2024 after the retirement of legendary coach Nick Saban. DeBoer, speaking to the media after Alabama’s final spring scrimmage, declared Simpson had earned the job outright following an “exceptional spring” and “clear progression in leadership, decision-making, and execution.”
“Ty Simpson has taken the next step,” DeBoer said. “He’s not just playing the position — he’s owning it. He’s the guy who gives us the best chance to win in 2025, and we’re ready to go all in with him.”
FROM BACKUP TO BREAKOUT: THE RISE OF TY SIMPSON
Simpson, a redshirt junior from Martin, Tennessee, had spent the past three seasons waiting in the wings behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe, seeing limited action but showing flashes of his potential in mop-up duty and scrimmage play. A former five-star recruit from the Class of 2022, Simpson was widely regarded as the heir apparent following Young’s departure — but was ultimately edged out by Milroe in 2023 and 2024.
Now, with Milroe declaring for the NFL Draft earlier this year and entering the league as a projected mid-round pick, Simpson has seized his long-awaited opportunity. And by all accounts, he has made the most of it.
Insiders close to the program say Simpson spent the offseason working relentlessly with Alabama’s new offensive staff, led by offensive coordinator JaMarcus Shepard, formerly of Washington. The new system, which emphasizes tempo, quick reads, and vertical spacing, seems to suit Simpson’s style better than the run-heavy, RPO-centric offense run under Milroe.
“He’s always had the arm talent,” said former Tide QB and SEC Network analyst Greg McElroy. “What we’re seeing now is a quarterback who’s grown into the mental side of the game. Ty’s processing defenses quicker, anticipating throws, and stepping into a leadership role that this team desperately needed.”
SPRING SCRIMMAGE STATS TELL THE STORY
During Alabama’s three major spring scrimmages — two closed sessions and the public A-Day Game — Simpson stood out with consistent accuracy, deep-ball precision, and calm under pressure.
In the A-Day Game alone, Simpson completed 19 of 26 passes for 241 yards and 3 touchdowns, with no interceptions. He connected on multiple 30+ yard plays, including a back-shoulder fade to sophomore WR Malik Benson and a perfectly placed seam route to TE Ty Lockwood.
More importantly, he displayed poise when the pocket collapsed and an ability to command the huddle, both traits that Alabama’s staff have prioritized in the post-Saban culture reset.
“He looked like a guy who’s finally ready to lead this team,” said longtime Alabama beat writer Cecil Hurt Jr. “And from what we’re hearing inside the program, the locker room believes in him.”
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE CRIMSON TIDE?
With Simpson under center, Alabama enters the 2025 season with renewed hopes and a fresh identity under DeBoer. The Tide are expected to open the season ranked in the top 10, despite losing a number of key contributors to the NFL.
The quarterback depth chart now features Simpson as the unquestioned starter, followed by redshirt freshman Dylan Lonergan and true freshman Austin Mack, a four-star dual-threat QB from California. Mack impressed in early practices but is considered a year or two away from serious starting consideration.
The offense also boasts returning star running back Justice Haynes, along with an electric receiver duo in Jalen Hale and Kobe Prentice, and a revamped offensive line anchored by junior tackle Elijah Pritchett.
“Ty’s job won’t be easy — the SEC is still brutal — but Alabama finally looks like it has stability at QB again,” said former Bama assistant and current ESPN commentator Dan Enos.
MILROE’S LEGACY: A BRIDGE BETWEEN ERAS
While Simpson is now the future, Jalen Milroe deserves credit for stabilizing Alabama during one of its most turbulent transitions in decades. After a shaky start in 2023, Milroe found his rhythm and led Alabama to an SEC Championship and a College Football Playoff berth. His combination of explosive athleticism and big-play capability kept Alabama afloat during the final seasons of Nick Saban’s tenure and into DeBoer’s first year.
Milroe declared for the 2025 NFL Draft earlier this spring and is currently projected as a third-round pick. He’s drawn interest from teams like the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, and New Orleans Saints as a developmental QB with high upside.
“Jalen Milroe gave everything to this program,” DeBoer said during his press conference. “He was a leader, a competitor, and a class act. We’re proud of what he accomplished here.”
THE BIG PICTURE: SIMPSON, THE TIDE, AND THE NEW SEC
With Texas and Oklahoma officially part of the SEC in 2025, Alabama’s schedule is tougher than ever. The Tide face matchups against Georgia, LSU, and Texas A&M — plus a late-season non-conference showdown with Ohio State. The need for consistent quarterback play couldn’t be higher.
The stakes are enormous. For Ty Simpson, it’s the culmination of years of waiting, developing, and overcoming adversity. For Alabama, it’s a litmus test of how well the program can navigate life after Saban and reclaim its identity as a national powerhouse.
“You don’t get many second chances at a program like Alabama,” Simpson said in a brief post-announcement interview. “I’ve worked for this. I’m ready. And I know what it means to wear that jersey. Let’s go to work.”
FINAL THOUGHTS
In a sport where patience is rare and pressure is constant, Ty Simpson’s story is one of perseverance and promise. He’s not just replacing a quarterback — he’s becoming the face of a football juggernaut trying to reinvent itself.
The future of Alabama football is here — and it has a new leader under center.
Ty Simpson, your time has come.
