The story of Alabama’s offseason has been the introduction of a first-year starting quarterback and the uncertainty that brings. However, there is plenty of stability surrounding Ty Simpson and Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb both agree that center Parker Brailsford could be the key to Simpson’s success in a hostile environment on Saturday.
While he’s a redshirt junior, Simpson will be making the first start of his career when the Crimson Tide take the field at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee to face Florida State in Week 1. Brailsford, however, has plenty of experience for Simpson to lean on.
“It’s everything,” Grubb said on Monday when asked about Brailsford’s importance in this matchup. “Honestly, I think he brings calm to not only the offensive line unit, but just the guys that are looking to have more playing time, potentially, then they had in the past, including Ty.”
Parker Brailsford’s experience could be the key to Ty Simpson’s success in Week 1
Brailsford will be making the 29th start of his career, all with DeBoer as his head coach. Brailsford was the youngest member of Washington’s Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line in 2023, but developed into a lynchpin at center and promptly followed his head coach to Tuscaloosa. Now, he’s ready to shepherd a first-time starting QB and potentially two inexperienced guards (if Jaeden Roberts is unable to play because of a concussion).
“With Parker, those two guys working hand in hand, being team captains, the way they infuse energy into our team, but also do it in their own way where they can stay calm themselves, you feel very confident in what that’s going to look like on game day with Parker running the show, and Ty hand in hand with him,” DeBoer said in his first weekly press conference on Monday.
The Tide opened as nearly two-touchdown favorites over Florida State in the FanDuel Sportsbook, but a 1-0 start to Simpson’s career is far from a given, especially on the road. The noise in Tallahassee could make it difficult for Simpson to call out protections and control the pre-snap operation, so much of that responsibility could and probably should fall on Brailsford’s shoulders, at least for Week 1.
Simpson has been around long enough to know how to orchestrate the offense, but he’s on his fourth new offensive coordinator across his four years in Tuscaloosa and it’s much different when the game is live and the bullets are flying on a Saturday. Brailsford’s been there before, including in a national championship game, so he’ll be ready for anything the Seminoles and new defensive coordinator Tony White throw at him.