Ty Simpson will be the next starting quarterback at Alabama, the Tuscaloosa News and On3 reported Monday.
Simpson, a rising redshirt junior, was in a competition with sophomore Austin Mack and true freshman Keelon Russell.
Simpson was the primary backup to Jalen Milroe in 2024, the Crimson Tide’s first year under coach Kalen DeBoer following the Nick Saban era.
Simpson got into six games, completed 14 of 25 pass attempts for 167 yards and added 44 rushing yards with one touchdown.
He also played an important role when Alabama visited South Florida in 2023. Milroe was benched after he struggled the previous week in a loss to Texas. Tyler Buchner got the start but was ineffective, leading third-stringer Simpson to come in and contribute a rushing touchdown to a 17-3 victory.
Now, Simpson will be the man behind center when Alabama — ranked No. 8 in the preseason Associated Press poll, released earlier Monday — opens this season at Florida State on Aug. 30.
A five-star recruit coming out of high school in Tennessee in 2022, Simpson has appeared in 16 games over three seasons in Tuscaloosa and has completed 29 of 50 passes for 381 yards, without a touchdown or an interception. He’s gained 130 yards and scored three touchdowns on the ground.