My name is Ty Simpson. This is the reason, after touring the nation, I decided on Alabama football.
We searched the entire nation for the ideal school for me.
Oklahoma was my ideal university just due to its alumni, which included players like Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield, Lincoln Riley, and others. Growing up, I always looked up to them and aspired to play like them. I was therefore thrilled to get the Oklahoma offer.
However, I was aware that I wouldn’t receive as much playing time as I would at some other locations if I went there. I informed coach Riley over the phone that I felt it would be best for me to go somewhere else, and he was understanding.
Choosing Alabama football was difficult, but I felt it was the proper decision because Ole Miss, Tennessee, Clemson, Alabama, and UT Martin were my previous colleges.
I have a bunch of family on my dad’s side that live near Ole Miss and I have always been there, from baseball games to the Egg Bowl each year, and I really enjoy the campus. It feels like a Martin vibe.
I know that they may not have all the stuff that Alabama or Clemson has but I know I could get a good degree from there and enjoy my time, but I looked at the long-term goals of playing at Alabama.
It was hard to not go to Martin just because I grew up in Martin and that’s all I’ve known — coming to watch my dad’s games (Martin coach Jason Simpson). So, being able to say he is my head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach would’ve been a really big deal. But my dad told me that he felt I needed to do this on my own and not come to Martin.
Alabama just checked all the long-term boxes off, with the NFL ties, having coach Saban, who has been there so long. They have also produced the most first-round draft picks of any school (since 2000) — and when you see the quarterbacks from Tua Tagovailoa to Jalen Hurts to Mac Jones and now Bryce Young, all of them were Heisman finalist.
If that doesn’t fire you up then I don’t know what will.
Also, you’re going to have real players around you in all positions. So, being able to compete every day in practice with these guys has really made me think, ‘If I can shred them in practice or beat them in practice — imagine how easy the game will be?’
I prayed about it and asked God to guide me, and I felt Alabama was a fantastic fit for me since it met all of my requirements. It’s near my house, and I knew the coaching staff would take good care of me.
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