There aren't many players more critical for their teams than Ty Simpson is for Alabama this season. While the redshirt junior hasn't officially won the Crimson Tide's QB battle, all signs continue to point toward him being the starter in 2025, at least to begin the season.
Simpson has said and done all the right things this offseason as he pushes for his first opportunity to lead the Crimson Tide. But he is a career backup to this point, and there are legitimate - and fair - questions about his ability to elevate Alabama to where they want to go.
It's all speculation one way or another because Simpson simply has not seen the field enough to draw any legitimate conclusions. He has looked good in practice and seems to have the faith, trust, and confidence of his teammates and coaches, but things change when the lights are on bright.
QB is not the only question mark for the Crimson Tide this season, but it is the most critical one. Kalen DeBoer has a loaded roster, and this team is good enough to win the National Championship. Simpson doesn't have to be elite, but he does have to be good for Alabama to realize its goals.
That fact isn't lost on ESPN's Bill Connelly, who included Simpson prominently near the top of his list of 40 players who are the most important this college football season.
Ty Simpson's play could make or break Alabama in 2025
Simpson will almost certainly be the starting quarterback when Alabama travels to Tallahassee at the end of this month. It has been trending in that direction since spring practice, and nothing has changed through the first week of fall camp.
But his play will determine whether or not he's the starter after that. Alabama's defense should be good enough that this team's floor should be similar to last season's at nine wins, even if the QB play is mediocre. But DeBoer isn't looking for a repeat of 2024, and hopes to find a quarterback who can elevate the team's ceiling to that of a legitimate National Title contender.
That guy could be Simpson. That guy could also end up being Austin Mack or Keelon Russell. While Simpson is likely to get the first crack at proving he's the guy, don't expect his leash to be nearly as long as the one afforded to Jalen Milroe last season.
DeBoer doesn't have time to be patient. The sense of urgency in Tuscaloosa is real, and if Simpson can't be the guy, the coaching staff will turn to someone else.