Alabama football has its starting quarterback in Ty Simpson, and on Tuesday, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb explained why Simpson was the choice to lead the Crimson Tide in 2025.
“Ty did a really nice job of taking care of the football, No. 1,” Grubb said. “I think Ty is an incredible playmaker on the move, and guys like that, you worry ‘are they going to be able to train themselves to take care of the football?’ In the room in general, Ty led that charge. But Ty didn’t throw any picks last week. He’s thrown one all camp. We’ve thrown like four total this camp.”
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On Monday, news of the coaching staff’s selection of Simpson was broken by The Tuscaloosa News. He beat out redshirt sophomore Austin Mack and true freshman Keelon Russell for the job. Grubb said no decision has been made on who will be the No. 2 quarterback.
Last year, turnovers played a major role in Alabama‘s first season with four or more losses since 2007. With ball security as a mandate, Simpson, a fourth-year junior, led the quarterback competition throughout spring practice and into fall camp before being named the starter. He spent three years as an Alabama backup, first behind Bryce Young, then behind Jalen Milroe.
Grubb added that poise and decision making were the two areas where Simpson has improved most.
“His eyes would drop and he’d give up on stuff really quickly, because he’s so athletic and can move,” Grubb said. “Now I feel like he’s very poised back there. Any time you have a guy who can balance those two things – be an explosive athlete out of the pocket, but also know he doesn’t have to do that every time, I think that’s the thing you love to see out of a guy like Ty.”
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The Crimson Tide opens the season at Florida State on Aug. 30.
Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.
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This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Why Alabama football OC Ryan Grubb was sold on Ty Simpson as QB starter
