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How Alabama football named Ty Simpson starting quarterback
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- How Alabama football named Ty Simpson starting quarterback
Ty Simpson is living his dream.
The Alabama football redshirt junior quarterback was named the Crimson Tide's starter Monday, Aug. 11, beating out Austin Mack and Keelon Russell for first-team reps left vacant by Jalen Milroe .
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"It's a dream come true," Simpson said. "I came here out of high school wanting to be the starting quarterback. I'm just excited. I can't thank my teammates enough for making me look good, and I'm ready for the opportunity."
Simpson said he learned he would be the starter in a quarterbacks meeting that included Russell and Mack, with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan and head coach Kalen DeBoer sharing the news.
"They were really appreciative of me and congratulated me, Austin and Keelon did," Simpson said. "They just told me to go get it."
Simpson's path to the Alabama starting quarterback spot is "abnormal," he said.
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He sat for three seasons behind Bryce Young and Milroe and participated in multiple quarterback battles for those first-team reps he always aspired for. Simpson has 50 career pass attempts, 381 passing yards and 130 rushing yards. All three of his collegiate touchdowns have been through the run game.
As Simpson looks forward to the starting quarterback job, he couldn't help but look back.
"I think it's abnormal for sure, not transferring in this day and age. But I don't regret it at all," Simpson said. "I love being here, I love my teammates, I love this university. I learned a lot from the guys that came before me like Bryce and Jalen. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for there, and the guys behind me like Keelon and Austin. I think they pushed me and elevated my game to a game that it's never seen before. We're going to continue to grow it each and every day."
Alabama opens the 2025 season Aug. 30 at Florida State.
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Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: How Alabama football named Ty Simpson starting quarterback
