The Alabama Crimson Tide is just a couple of weeks away from kicking off their 2025 season on the road against the Florida State Seminoles, and the biggest question of the offseason finally has an official answer.
It was first reported on Monday evening and later confirmed on Tuesday by offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb that the Tide has named a starting quarterback for the game, and it’s going to be program veteran Ty Simpson.
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Grubb was asked why the team is going with Simpson.
The coach made it pretty simple, saying Simpson had the best command of all three quarterbacks on the team when compared to Austin Mack and five-star freshman sensation Keelon Russell:
Alabama Offensive Coordinator Ryan Grubb’s opening statement:
“Hey guys. Ty Simpson is our starter.”
Grubb credits Simpson’s ability to protect the football as the key to winning the job. pic.twitter.com/x3xrsaDHxs
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) August 12, 2025
“Hey guys. Ty Simpson is our starter,” Grubb said as an opening statement. “Ty did a really nice job taking care of the football. He is an incredible playmaker on the move, and from guys like that, you worry if they’ll be able to train themselves to take care of the football. Ty didn’t throw any picks last week. He’s thrown one all of camp, we’ve thrown four total all of camp. I think at this time last year, he had thrown like 15.”
“In general, the guys are understanding the concepts and control of the offense a lot better as a room, and Ty was the best at that. His ability to command and create out of the pocket, I thought was the best. He made great decisions, and he’s just much cleaner on some of the things that you expect an older quarterback to be able to do.”
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Simpson, a former five-star recruit himself, has been on the roster since the 2022 season when he was the third string behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe before backing up Milroe the last two seasons.
Going into his fourth season in the program without a single start is admirable, given that players are changing schools more often than ever. Simpson has stuck around and waited his turn, and he will now finally get his chance to prove he is ready to lead the Tide into battle.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
