Well, Kalen DeBoer might not be over the 2024 trauma anytime soon. After all, he did not do justice to Alabama, being the GOAT Nick Saban’s successor, coming up with a 9-4 record. So, moving into the 2025 season, his motto must be ‘no more mess-ups’. For that, having clarity about the blueprint is extremely important. Turns out that DeBoer is taking baby steps to keep the confusion at bay. As of now, he is no longer in two minds when it comes to picking his QB1. At the same time, his two stars – Ty Simpson and Keelon Russell – earned golden reviews from analysts, warding off doubts about their potential.

Till the 2024 season, everything seemed to be under control in Tuscaloosa. After all, DeBoer’s quarterback room had closed the doors to confusion. Thanks to their former quarterback, Jalen Milroe. But walking into this season, DeBoer was spoiled with choices. The call had to be made between the trio—Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell. Back in April, Alabama’s new offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb, dropped a hint. “At the end of the day, if we’re playing a football game tomorrow, Ty Simpson would start.” So, ever since then, Alabama fans must be keeping an eye on their probable QB1 to get rid of the ‘probable’ status. However, analysts have started to ponder over Simpson’s potential. “Is Simpson good enough to hold off Russell?”

On May 16, CBS Sports podcast host Bud Elliott continued, “Do we think that we can win big with Simpson? Or is it more like ‘Hey man, take care of it until Russell is ready this year?’” Well, the pressure is real for Simpson, no doubt about that. But the sophomore QB from Martin, Tennessee, is believed to have accuracy with himself as a passer. He is not likely to bring the same kind of rush on the gridiron as Milroe.

However, Simpson is a better player when it comes to distributing the pigskin down the field. Amidst this, crisis still prevails for the young chap as he might be replaced at any moment. As the podcast guest shared, “I think there is an element of that where there’s more like ‘Hey man you got the most experience of this current three man quarterback battle.’”

Then came the spring ball. Simpson looked solid if unspectacular. He was the lone Alabama quarterback not to throw an interception during the A-Day practice. His highlight feat came when he evaded pressure and found freshman Derek Meadows in the middle of the field for around a 20-yard gain. Thus, the analyst came up with a report pleased by Simpson’s control of the offense: “I don’t know that he won it through spring ball. But he definitely didn’t lose it. So, it’s kind of beauty is in the eye of the beholder thing.”

On the other hand, Russell struggled with lousy throws, fumbles, and missed passes. So what’s the moral of the story? “We all think that Keelon’s going to be the guy at some point. Again, if things come together, I do think they can win with Ty Simpson, I don’t know how big they can win. But I do think they can with Ty Simpson.” Meanwhile, support is piling up for Simpson.  

An Alabama legend’s rally cry for Ty Simpson

Looks like DeBoer has already made up his mind to whom to pass on the quarterback torch after Milroe. On the Paul Finebaum Show, the head coach shared, “We got the three guys, and they’re all, really, at different spots in their careers. Ty, having been in the program for a couple of years…So, if you had to play, you kind of right now go with the veteran in Ty, did a nice job this spring, as did the others.” While DeBoer counts on Simpson for his experience, another legend counts on him based on sheer trust. 

That’s none other than former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron. He has known Simpson since the young QB was coming out of high school to play at Alabama. The journey kinds of feel personal as McCarron himself has been the starter at the Crimson Tide for three seasons and won two national championships. Much like him, Simpson has spent three seasons in Tuscaloosa. But he is yet to get the ‘starter’ tag. McCarron, too, went through a quarterback competition in 2011 with Phillip Sims before winning the starting job. In that way, it’s easier for him to step into Simpson’s shoes. So, what’s the advice he has for the young chap?

“That’s what me and Ty have talked about before just the pressure of playing at Alabama and the expectations, right? It comes with it. It’s what you signed up for. It’s what makes Alabama such a special place to play I think. Like I told him, pressure creates diamonds, so go out, have fun, do what you’ve done your whole life playing the game and let the chips fall where they fall.”

Talking about Ty Simpson’s glow-up? Well, Pro Football Hall of Famer and two-time Super Bowl champion Peyton Manning and his 2x Super Bowl winner brother, Eli Manning, have got that covered. The quarterback will attend the Manning Passing Academy next month in Louisiana. Right now, all signs point to Simpson steering the Crimson Tide straight to the summit.