Ty Simpson came to Alabama to play for the greatest coach in college football history, Nick Saban. After two seasons of learning under his guidance, Saban abruptly retired in January of 2024, leaving Simpson and others to process what to do next.
Simpson ultimately decided to stay at Alabama, sat the bench for one more year, and is now thriving as the Crimson Tide's starting QB under Kalen DeBoer.
Simpson may have come to Tuscaloosa to play for Saban, but it's clear in his development that he is a perfect fit for DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb's system. He's fit it like a glove, and is in the Heisman Trophy conversation while positioning the Crimson Tide in the National Championship picture. After a season-opening loss to Florida State, Alabama has reeled off seven straight wins heading into its second and final bye week of the regular season.
Simpson is a big reason why, but he's also too humble to accept too much praise. He likes to take all the criticism, putting any of the team's poor performances on his own back. But he's quick to praise his teammates and coaching staff when things are good.
Speaking to Jim Rome on Tuesday, Simpson gave considerable praise to DeBoer.
"That's my guy, Simpson said to Jim Rome about DeBoer via 247's Mike Rodak. "I think us as a team and our fight, and the games like last Saturday goes back to our head coach, right? It starts with him. He's the leader, he's the captain. It shows how resilient he is from everything he does, and it's a trickle-down effect.
"I think one of the reasons of why I stayed is because of him, because I see him and my dad being very similar in many type of ways, about the way they carry themselves, the way they coach, just how personable he is with the players and anybody in general."
Ty Simpson credits Kalen DeBoer as a big reason he stayed at Alabama
Perhaps the best coaching DeBoer has done since arriving at Alabama is convincing Simpson to stick around last year as the backup to Jalen Milroe. Nobody released it then, but Simpson's performance through eight starts shows how pivotal it was.
Simpson had options after Saban's retirement. Plenty of programs reached out to him in hopes of enticing him into the Transfer Portal. He probably would have won the starting job at a lot of programs last year. He probably should have won the job here, too.
But that wasn't his path. His journey was different. It brought him to this moment where he's living out his dream as the Alabama starting QB. And he's thriving. He's not only in the Heisman conversation, but he's positioned himself as one of the top quarterback prospects in the next NFL Draft, too.
While both of those things would be tremendous honors, and a reward for all the work he has put in, they are secondary goals for the Tide's QB. His singular focus is on leading the Crimson Tide to the National Championship.