After enduring criticism from legendary coach Nick Saban and an initial brush-off from new head coach Kalen DeBoer, Ty Simpson has persevered to become Alabama’s starting quarterback, emerging as a Heisman Trophy candidate and leading the Crimson Tide to an impressive 8-1 record this season.
Simpson’s journey at Alabama began with high expectations as a highly-touted five-star recruit, but he spent his first two seasons as a backup behind established quarterbacks Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe. During this time, Saban frequently criticized him for being too focused on outcomes and perfection, which hindered his performance. In Saban’s final days after announcing his retirement, he gave Simpson one more blunt assessment, urging him to take the next step and stop overanalyzing his play. Simpson initially found the advice frustrating but later realized its value in his development.
When Kalen DeBoer was hired as Alabama’s new coach following Saban’s retirement, Simpson’s first encounter was brief and dismissive. DeBoer seemed to brush him off during a quick introduction, leaving Simpson uncertain about his future with the team. This led Simpson to contemplate transferring, with his family exploring options, including a potential move to SEC rival Georgia. His mother even began searching for housing in Athens, highlighting the depth of his uncertainty during the coaching transition.
Simpson’s doubts were alleviated after he requested a meeting with DeBoer, who reassured him about his role. Despite competition from transfers like Austin Mack, Simpson decided to stay at Alabama, driven by his faith and belief that it was where he was meant to be. His parents supported his decision, emphasizing that he needed to trust the process and not let anxiety dictate his choices. This period of reflection strengthened his resolve to prove himself under the new coaching staff.
Growing up as the son of a college football coach, Simpson had an intricate knowledge of the game but struggled with perfectionism. From a young age, he analyzed game film with his father and was tutored by future NFL coaches, but this often led to overthinking on the field. Saban described it as a “cycle of negative spiraling,” where Simpson would get frustrated by mistakes and compound them with more errors. His family noted that he had to learn to rely on his instincts rather than obsessing over every detail.
Simpson’s debut as Alabama’s starter in the 2025 season opener against Florida State was a disaster, as he completed only 23 of 43 passes in a 31-17 loss. The performance drew sharp criticism from fans and media, with one fan even emailing his father to call him the “worst quarterback in Alabama history.” DeBoer responded by briefly reopening the quarterback competition in practice, giving Mack snaps with the first team. Instead of wallowing, Simpson used the setback as motivation, practicing with renewed intensity.
In the following game against Louisiana-Monroe, Simpson bounced back spectacularly, completing all 17 pass attempts for 226 yards and three touchdowns in a 73-0 rout. This marked the beginning of a turnaround that saw him lead Alabama to eight consecutive wins, including a key victory over Georgia that ended the Bulldogs’ 33-game home winning streak. Through nine games, Simpson has thrown for 2,461 yards with 21 touchdowns and only one interception, showcasing his growth and efficiency.
With his impressive stats and leadership, Simpson has emerged as a Heisman Trophy contender, ranking third in odds for the award. However, he remains humble, attributing his success to his teammates and emphasizing that individual accolades are “absurd” compared to the team’s goals. His focus is on winning games and celebrating with his teammates, reflecting the lessons learned from his early struggles. As Alabama prepares for critical SEC matchups, Simpson’s perseverance serves as a testament to resilience in college football.
