Ty Simpson, the quarterback for Alabama, demonstrated “that I can play,” but he was hesitant to commit.
For the first time since committing to Alabama in December 2021 as a five-star quarterback prospect, Ty Simpson made a speech on Saturday.
Speaking to media on Saturday prior to the Rose Bowl, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson remained ambiguous regarding his long-term future with the team.
“I’ve really just been focused on Michigan and what they’ve been doing,” Simpson stated. “I’m sure a lot of people are curious about my plans to transfer or not. But that’s not actually all I’m thinking about. If I need to go in to move the ball, I don’t want that to take my attention away from when my number is called. That’s my main area of concentration.”
Simpson answered questions for an hour in Pasadena during the Rose Bowl’s required media day for all players. This was Simpson’s first time speaking in front of the public since he signed a five-star quarterback contract with Alabama in December 2021 in the 2022 high school class.
Under Nick Saban’s orders, Simpson was not permitted to speak with media during his first season and had not been made available as of yet this year.
Simpson has appeared in six games this season after losing a competition for the starting position that lasted throughout the spring and summer to Jalen Milroe and, later, Tyler Buchner. In September, Buchner began at South Florida instead of Milroe and was replaced by Simpson in the second quarter. This was his most prolonged play. He completed 11 of 20 throws for 179 yards and added two scores on 14 rushes for 86 yards as he went into the playoffs.
Simpson answered, “That I can play,” when asked what he had demonstrated this season. that our quarterback room is the greatest in the nation and that I’m among the finest backups in the nation. Three or four of our guys are capable of playing anyplace in the nation. Hopefully that I’ve demonstrated my teammates’ and coaches’ faith in me, demonstrating that I can play with anyone if necessary.”
Simpson’s future at Alabama is still up in the air. After behind Bryce Young and Milroe for his entire rookie campaign, Simpson was unable to make his first start this season due to Milroe’s rise. With five-star rookie Julian Sayin joining the team and Milroe returning for a fourth season in 2024, it’s unclear where Simpson would fit into the Tide’s quarterbacking future plans.
However, Simpson believes that he has improved as a player “night and day” since moving to Tuscaloosa two years ago.
“Coming from Westview [High School in Tennessee], a lot of people said we didn’t play the best competition and I guess that’s true or whatever, especially coming to Alabama,” Simpson stated. “But from reading defenses to understanding the job that Coach Saban wants me to do, I feel like has there been a big growth from me and really looking forward to seeing what my future holds and what I need to work on.”
next Alabama’s title game, which could be either Monday’s Rose Bowl or the next week’s national championship game, Simpson would have five days to access the transfer site. He would be able to play somewhere else right away.
“I’ve come to learn that I put a lot of pressure on myself just because of how much I love football and how much I want to be great,” Simpson stated. Ultimately, though, I must merely put my own needs first and concentrate on improving. Not everyone follows a three [season] and out trajectory. You will not be Bryce’s type. Bryce anticipated that he would replace Mac [Jones in 2020]. However, God had other ideas. That, I believe, is what I needed to learn the most and what truly enabled me to develop: put your attention on yourself, concentrate on the things you need to do, and, no matter what, simply do your work.”
In April’s spring game, Simpson and Milroe led separate teams in competition for the starting quarterback position. However, neither player’s performance was compelling, and a few weeks later, Alabama signed Buchner from Notre Dame via the transfer portal, igniting a three-way rivalry that continued until September.
“It was definitely an emotional rollercoaster,” Simpson remarked. “I’m sure Buch and Jalen experienced the same thing. Overall though, I believe that having three players who can start anywhere in the nation has really kind of brought us together. Each of us is unique. One of the most exciting athletes in college football is Jalen. Buch is incredibly intelligent. I consider my arm talent to be rather strong. Thus, everyone does things different.
“Whether I was the No. 1, 2 or 3 — we were going to support each other, no matter what.”
His father, Jason Simpson, is the head coach at Tennessee-Martin and has provided advice.
“One thing that I really kind of appreciate is he never sugarcoats anything,” Ty Simpson said. “He’ll tell me, ‘Hey man, that’s not good.’ Or, ‘Hey, you can work on this,’ or, ‘That’s really good.’ One thing he told me to work on was be yourself and kind of focus on controlling your box, whether you’re the No. 1, 2 or 3, you’ve got to act like you’re the starter, because you’re one play away from going in there and leading your team to a Rose Bowl victory.
“That’s what I’ve taken into perspective is, ‘Hey, I’m going to act like I’m the starter’ and when my number is called, go in there and move the ball.”
Ty Simpson also praised the guidance of first-year Tide offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.
“I wouldn’t be the player I am today if it wasn’t for him,” he stated. “I can’t wait to say I came from the Tommy Rees tree when I’m a coach one day.” He’s taught me a lot of things.
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