On Monday, Kalen DeBoer introduced Ty Simpson to the team as Alabama's starting quarterback. It's a job Simpson has earned and long waited for. The redshirt junior beat out redshirt sophomore Austin Mack and true freshman Keelon Russell to win the job.
For DeBoer, this was the third legitimate QB competition in his short time as an FBS head coach. It's also the earliest he's ever called the contest.
Speaking to the media after last Saturday's scrimmage, DeBoer stated Alabama was close to naming a starter and anticipated doing so following the second scrimmage of fall camp this coming Saturday. But Simpson reportedly had an excellent showing in the first scrimmage, and DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb had apparently already seen all they needed to see, making the call earlier than they had planned.
It had to be a relief for Grubb, who stated early in camp that he wanted to name a starter "yesterday." Now, he's got his wish, and his guy.
Simpson was named the starter 19 days before Alabama's season opener in Tallahassee against Florida State. Simpson will become the first Alabama QB to make his first career start in a road game since Marc Guillon in 2004. He'll hope it goes better than it did for Guillon, who was replacing injured quarterbacks Brodie Croyle and Spencer Pennington.
In the two other instances DeBoer has had a QB competition, he has waited until closer to the start of the regular season to officially name a starter. Though it was a foregone conclusion ahead of the 2022 season that Michael Penix Jr. would win the Huskies' starting QB job, DeBoer didn't name him the starter until 11 days before the opener. In 2020 at Fresno State, DeBoer named Jake Haenar the starter just four days before the opener.
The coaching staff and team have confidence in Ty Simpson to get the job done
DeBoer's decision to call the QB competition earlier than anticipated - and earlier than he has historically - speaks to a confidence in Simpson. It's a confidence that should excite fans because Simpson was seriously challenged in the spring and fall.
Both Austin Mack and Keelon Russell have had good camps. Greg McElroy spoke highly of the performance of all three quarterbacks during Saturday's scrimmage. Simpson outpaced them both and earned the right to enter the season as the Crimson Tide's starting quarterback, a position he has dreamed about holding.
DeBoer, Grubb, and QB coach Nick Sheridan can now focus on getting Simpson ready for what will be a ferocious road environment at Doak Campbell Stadium on August 30th. Say what you want about the quality of the Seminoles, but that is an extremely difficult place to play, and Mike Norvell's team will be much improved this season.
Simpson will be tested immediately. To pass that test, he'll have to be mentally and physically tough. He'll have to show resolve. He'll have to prove his coaching staff and teammates right for their faith in him.
“When I get on the field, Alabama fans should know that I’m going to do everything it takes to win,” Simpson said before the start of fall camp. “I’m going to make sure that I’m the toughest guy on the field. I’m going to make sure that I win. I’m going to make sure that I know everything that’s coming. I’m going to get the guys around me the ball.”