Alabama football QB Ty Simpson has made the most of a lengthy wait to get on the field, emerging as a Heisman Trophy candidate for one of the top teams in the nation. But could the Crimson Tide's offensive star have been as successful had he been given the chance sooner?
"Who knows?," Simpson said. "It didn't happen. But I'm glad God's put me here. I'm more mature, I understand things better. (I'm) letting the game come to me and not trying to do too much. Just having fun. A lot of times in my years past ... (I was) just kind of miserable walking into the building, not knowing what I'm going to get into, not knowing how it's going to go today, instead of just embracing it and understanding my role."
Simpson sat for three years waiting his turn, two of them behind former Alabama QB Jalen Milroe . He's been outstanding as a fourth-year junior, however, completing 153 of 218 passes for 1,931 yards, 18 touchdowns and only one interception. He's also improved in terms of pocket awareness and knowing when to run, or throw the ball away.
He played sparingly last year despite Milroe's struggles with turnovers, but didn't speculate on what would've happened had he been given the chance to start.
"Do I feel like I'm the same player, no. But I feel like I had the same ability," he added.
Simpson and the Crimson Tide (6-1) will play at South Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 26 (2:30 p.m. CT, ABC).
Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X @chasegoodbread.
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This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football's Ty Simpson says 3-year wait to play was 'miserable'
