Rick Neuheisel is a true college football expert. His insight goes far beyond the standard fare of lesser 'experts'. That does not make him infallible. When he said Ty Simpson won the Alabama Football QB1 starter job as a reward for his loyalty, Neuheisel was close to being totally wrong.
Yes, Kalen DeBoer, the Alabama assistant coaching staff, and Crimson Tide players both acknowledge and admire Simpson's loyalty. That loyalty provided Simpson with an opportunity to become the Crimson Tide starter against Florida State. It did not win him the job. Alabama football fans know well how often DeBoer and Alabama Offensive Coordinator have praised Simpson for his decision-making, consistency, and leadership. His completion rate through fall camp and nearly zero interceptions showed Simpson has the most skills to execute the DeBoer/Grubb offense.
Austin Mack and Keelon Russell also have considerable skills. Russell has the highest potential upside of the trio. But for Alabama, the 'win now' guy is Ty Simpson.
Confusing Alabama Football Teams and Quarterbacks
It is almost as if Neuheisel got the 2025 Alabama team confused with the 2024 team and Ty Simpson confused with Jalen Milroe. DeBeor stepped into a shaky roster situation last January. After considerable roster attrition, the roster DeBoer was left to work with had bonded with Jalen Milroe. For his character and work ethic, Milroe had earned his team leadership role. As much as anyone else, Milroe helped hold the 2024 team together. Milroe also offered some exceptional quarterbacking skills. For more games than not in the 2024 season, Milroe's skills produced Alabama wins. But, stating loyalty has influenced QB1 decisions made by Kalen DeBoer, the example is Jalen Milroe rather than Ty Simpson.
No college football expert is always right. The former UCLA quarterback and former Colorado, Washington, and UCLA head coach is way above average in the accuracy of his college football opinions. In this instance, he is wrong about Kalen DeBoer and Ty Simpson.
Alabama Crimson Tide fans will look forward to Neuheisel changing his opinion as Simpson and Alabama progress during the 2015 season.