-
Mark Schlabach
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — On January 10, 2024, just two days after the backup quarterback Ty Simpson chose to stay at Alabama instead of transferring, Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban declared his retirement, concluding a remarkable 17-year tenure that saw him claim six national championships.
Even after stepping down, Saban made sure to take a moment to give Simpson one last piece of advice while he was clearing out his office.
Throughout the last couple of seasons, while Simpson played behind starters Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe, Saban cautioned him against being overly fixated on results and the actions of others instead of focusing on his own development.
«Honestly, it frustrated me because I felt it was illogical,» Simpson recounted. «I believed he just wanted me out of his office.»
That was essentially Saban’s farewell advice to Simpson too.
«He was brutally straightforward,» Simpson reflected. «He said, ‘You’re such a great kid. I’m a big supporter of yours and care about you, but you need to make that leap. You can’t keep doing this.’
Simpson’s swift progression from an unused player to being among the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy and a likely top-5 draft pick in the 2026 NFL draft was not without challenges.
Following a shocking loss in the season opener to Florida State, the No. 4 Crimson Tide (8-1, 6-0 SEC) rebounded to win eight consecutive games, setting the stage for a Saturday SEC clash with No. 12 Oklahoma (7-2, 3-2) at Bryant-Denny Stadium (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
«Honestly, I believe that if we hadn’t lost that initial game, we wouldn’t be in this position,» Simpson noted. «That first game forced us to self-evaluate and think, ‘Okay, what’s our next step?'»
WHEN ALABAMA RECRUITED Simpson, there was a prevailing belief within the program that he would eventually step in for Young, who was selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2023 NFL draft.
Simpson possessed the skill set and pedigree: He was ranked as the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in ESPN’s Class of 2022 recruiting ratings. He earned the Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year title after amassing 2,827 passing yards and 41 touchdowns, leading Westview High to a Class 2A state championship as a senior. Moreover, he’s been surrounded by football throughout his life, with his father, Jason, coaching at FCS Tennessee-Martin for 20 seasons.
Austin Mack announced his transfer to follow his coach, prompting Simpson to request a meeting with DeBoer to clarify his standing with the new coaching staff.
Meanwhile, Alabama’s quarterback lineup also featured Julian Sayin, who was the No. 2 dual-threat passer in the Class of 2024. Sayin subsequently transferred to Ohio State nine days after DeBoer’s hiring.
«I sought a meeting with him because I was unsure if I was valued here,» Simpson explained. «With Austin coming in and Jalen being the starter, I was uncertain of my role.»
Behind the scenes, plans were already underway to secure Simpson a new team if his future in Tuscaloosa looked bleak. At that moment, his mother, Julie, was visiting to assist with his relocation when Saban announced his retirement. She stayed for about a week to help Ty navigate his next steps.
Catch college football and more on the newly upgraded ESPN App. Stream the biggest games
Following the awkward introduction to DeBoer, Simpson’s family began looking into various options. They advised him not to attend the initial two days of classes in case he decided to transfer. It was determined that if he had to part ways with Alabama, his destination would be SEC foe Georgia. His mother was already scouting for housing in Athens.
Jason Simpson reached out to Alabama co-offensive coordinators Nick Sheridan and Ryan Grubb (who would leave the next month to take the offensive coordinator position with the Seattle Seahawks) and had positive discussions with them. However, there were no guarantees regarding Ty’s playing time in the coming season, as Milroe had already led the Crimson Tide to a 12-2 record and a College Football Playoff berth.
«The pace of events was so quick,» Jason Simpson said. «As his father, I couldn’t determine what action was right for him.»
Ultimately, Ty’s worries were alleviated after his conversation with DeBoer, who had just led Washington to an undefeated regular season. The Huskies, with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and a dynamic offense, fell to Michigan 34-13 in the CFP National Championship.
Additionally, had Simpson transferred to Georgia, he likely would have been sitting behind returning starter Carson Beck. If he was to be a backup again, Ty felt it was best to stay at a place he knew well with teammates he cherished.
«He was very prayerful about choosing Alabama and felt it was where the Lord directed him,» said Julie Simpson. «He insisted, ‘I know this is where I’m meant to be, so I’m not leaving. I will persevere and see where this takes me.’
JULIE SIMPSON RECOGNIZED early on that her son had an unusual level of drive compared to most kids. At age 4, she enrolled him in soccer to help channel his energy. In the early practices, he bombarded his coach with questions about the rules and what he was supposed to do.
Ty’s passion for collecting sports cards grew to an obsession. She would drive him all over to find new packs.
Ty’s parents made him postpone signing up for tackle football for a year, but once he started, his engagement was unwavering. With Jason occupied coaching UT Martin, Julie recorded Ty’s practices and games. She would deliver the footage to Jason’s office for a staff member to upload.
Keelon Russell for the starting position this offseason.
Significantly, Ty was no longer in conflict with himself.
«One day, everything just clicked,» he shared. «I realized I needed to concentrate on my performance and just play. I understood what [Saban] meant about being results-oriented. I stopped worrying about what others thought or what Coach Saban would say about me.»
Finally, during Alabama’s season opener against Florida State on August 30, Simpson stepped onto the field as the starter. His debut was far from ideal, completing 23 of 43 passes for 254 yards with two touchdowns in the Tide’s shocking 31-17 loss, suffering three sacks against a team that ended the season at 2-10.
Jam Miller on a fourth-down rollout, or for checking down on a pass to Germie Bernard when a defender was in his face.
Through nine games, Simpson has recorded a completion rate of 66.9%, accumulating 2,461 yards with 21 touchdowns and a lone interception.
«You knew he had the potential,» DeBoer commented. «The team has faith in him. As he becomes more assertive and vocal, it’s genuine. His hard work earns respect, and the team responds positively when he critiques himself and the offense or our team.»
This fall, two goals have been marked on the Simpsons’ family calendar. Ty’s younger sibling, Graham, has followed in his footsteps as the starting quarterback at Westview High. Last season, he threw for 4,135 yards with 57 touchdowns and only one interception, setting a state record with 620 yards and eight touchdowns in a single game.
Schools like Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Ole Miss, Miami, and Vanderbilt have already extended scholarship offers to Graham, a member of the Class of 2028.
This season, the Chargers boast a perfect 10-0 record and are among the frontrunners for the Class 3A state championship. The state championship game is slated for Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, the day prior to the SEC championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The Simpsons couldn’t wish for anything more than to experience a doubleheader on the first weekend of December.
