Alabama has officially named Ty Simpson the starter, a decision that had been telegraphed for months as the program gave no transfer quarterback a winter reset. Simpson has only 50 career pass attempts, yet that total already exceeds that of any other quarterback on the Crimson Tide roster, underscoring the path he’s taking as a true bridge quarterback while Keelon Russell remains in the wings as the long-term answer.
Where does Simpson fit in the pantheon of Alabama quarterbacks? The chatter around Mac Jones—an unlikely backup who blossomed into a Heisman finalist and a 4,500-yard passer in 2020—feels premature given Simpson’s profile. Jones had already proven himself through injury-fueled opportunities the year before, and his supporting cast that season included DeVonta Smith, Najee Harris, and John Metchie III. Simpson, by contrast, doesn’t have that level of established help, nor the same immediate track record. A more nuanced comparison points toward Blake Sims and Jake Coker, longtime backups who became reliable starters in their final seasons and helped push Alabama toward championships. Coker’s steady leadership culminated in a national title in 2015, with Derrick Henry often carrying the workload.
That reality frames Ty Simpson as a “bridge” quarterback, a connector between the Nick Saban era’s recent past and Keelon Russell, a five-star freshman who DeBoer already labeled as a key future piece. The plan isn’t to airmail a Heisman contender into the present; it’s to shepherd Alabama through an era of transition while maximizing a system built around playmaking and growth rather than a single season’s flash.
Alabama has also tried to shore up the supporting cast. Isaiah Horton, a Miami transfer, provides a new target alongside Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard, a group the coaching staff hopes will translate developmental gains into more reliable production. DeBoer has spoken about Horton’s physical presence paired with his smooth movement, a combination that could help Simpson in a season where the quarterback’s inexperience is a current constraint. The quarterback room now features a mix of veterans and newcomers aimed at reducing the strain on Simpson as he learns the system.
DeBoer himself wants a playmaker at the helm, not merely a game-manager. Ryan Grubb, Alabama’s offensive coordinator, describes Simpson as “an incredible playmaker,” a label that carries significant expectation for a quarterback who will need to balance making big plays with more efficient decision-making. That balance is crucial because Milroe, the starter last season before Simpson’s emergence, displayed elite speed and burst but struggled with consistency and turnovers. If Simpson can harness playmaking while reducing turnover risk, Alabama could enjoy the benefits of a more efficient offense without sacrificing big-play potential.
The road ahead will test how high Simpson’s ceiling can rise. Bryce Young’s dominance blocked a faster ascent for Simpson in earlier seasons, and Arch Manning’s decision to wait behind Quinn Ewers isn’t a direct mirror for Alabama. Still, watching whether Simpson evolves into a steady starter who can guide Alabama through the pivotal middle portions of games will be telling. And while the defense hasn’t matched the elite standard from 2015 in recent years, the team remains confident in the overall trajectory and the support structures around a quarterback who is still early in his career.
From a broader perspective, Simpson is operating in a deliberate plan to sustain Alabama’s consistency at the position even as the program transitions away from the era of a clear, established face under center. If he can deliver Sims- or Coker-like reliability while adding playmaking flair, Alabama can navigate potential turbulence—such as a tough start or unforeseen setbacks—without derailing the program’s ongoing competitive edge. The combination of a developing receiving corps, a evolving offense under DeBoer, and a patient, strategic plan for quarterback development offers a hopeful path forward.
Bottom line: Ty Simpson’s success will hinge on efficient decision-making, steady growth within a collaborative system, and the continued maturation of Alabama’s offensive weapons. If he meets the bridge expectation, Alabama can move forward with confidence as Russell develops and the program remains anchored by experienced coaching and a foundation built to sustain competitive excellence.
Summary: Ty Simpson is Alabama’s starter for now, a bridge quarterback framed by the program’s history of steady QBs and room for growth. His path will depend on how well he blends playmaking with efficient execution, aided by a strengthened receiving corps and DeBoer’s system. The outlook is cautiously optimistic, with ample reasons to believe Alabama can navigate the transition successfully.