The prevailing sentiment from college football experts and Alabama football fans is the Crimson Tide's starting quarterback will be Ty Simpson. It is a logical conclusion. Even with almost all evidence pointing to Simpson, Kalen DeBoer, Ryan Grubb, and Nick Sheridan must be patient. They cannot presume that Simpson will be the clear winner during fall camp scrimmages. That would be tantamount to giving him the starter role. Simpson must win it.
DeBoer's predecessor often said players must choose their QB starter during fall camp competitions. His teammates must see him as more than the most capable. He must also be a leader they choose to rally around. And one that they trust under the most difficult circumstances in a game.
Fall camp scrimmages typically provide clarity for coaches to make their starter calls. It takes more than that for players. A QB1 must win the team in games. Former Alabama quarterback starter AJ McCarron is a solid believer in Simpson. He said in June, "I think he has a ton of talent... I think he has a ton of arm talent. He can make every throw on the field. I think he’s very underrated using his feet as well, being able to escape the pocket when he needs to or throw into zone-read when you lull the defense to sleep ... He has plenty of enough talent to go out there, win this job and keep it.”
McCarron was correct in adding that it will take the Georgia game for Simpson to cement his role as QB1. If Simpson plays well in that road game, even if the result is a loss, barring injury, he will be Alabama's guy throughout the season.
Alabama Football Patience
Patience will be key for the Alabama football staff, not only in naming a QB starter, but in continuing to develop the backup. Alabama must have a QB2 it can win with if Simpson falters or is injured. Fall camp scrimmages will aid that process considerably, but it is possible that Keelon Russell and Austin Mack will not separate themselves so quickly.
One or both will need game action beyond mop-up duty. In the three games leading up to the Georgia game, a QB2 needs some work with the first-team offense.
Patience may be too much to ask from Alabama football fans. If Ty Simpson does not play like a Heisman contender early, it will not mean that he will not improve considerably during the season.