Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson went from unknown backup to Heisman Trophy candidate almost overnight.
But how did the guy who helped Westview High School from West Tennessee to the TSSAA Class 2A state championship in 2021 end up staying four years in Tuscaloosa in the day and age of NIL and transfers and players changing schools seemingly on a yearly basis? After hardly playing for three years?
Advertisement
One word: Love.
JOHNNY ON THE SPOT: Johnny Manziel plans to wear Diego Pavia jersey on Vanderbilt sideline at Alabama game
WANT TO GO? Want Vanderbilt vs Alabama tickets? Here are best available prices for Saturday’s game
“I think it’s abnormal for sure. Not transferring, in today’s day and age. But I don’t regret it at all. I love being here. I love my teammates. I love this university,” Simpson told reporters before the season in school press conference. “I learned a lot from the guys that played before me, like Bryce (Young) and Jalen (Milroe). I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them and the guys behind me, like Keelon (Russell) and Austin (Mack). They pushed me and elevated my game to a game that they’ve never seen before.”
Advertisement
Simpson’s odds to win the Heisman improved dramatically after he helped Alabama upset Georgia on Sept. 27.
His next test will be Vanderbilt and another Heisman hopeful, Diego Pavia, on Oct. 4 (2:30 p.m. CST, ABC) in a “College Game Day” game.
Ty Simpson stats for 2025 Alabama football season
He is 88-for-127 for 1,138 yards and 11 touchdowns passing with zero interceptions through four games.
How much did Ty Simpson play before this season?
He appeared in 16 games for the Crimson Tide, completing 29 of 50 pass attempts for 381 yards, zero touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Why didn’t Ty Simpson play much before this season?
Well, that discussion begins and ends with the fact that the previous two starting quarterbacks before him, Milroe and Young, are both NFL quarterbacks now.
Advertisement
Milroe held the job in 2023 and 2024 before he was taken in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Young, the 2021 Heisman winner, was the starter the two seasons before that. He was taken first overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Ty Simpson Heisman Trophy odds
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Simpson is tied for second at plus-950 with Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith. Oregon’s Dante Moore is first (plus-650). Pavia is tied for eighth with Tennessee Vols quarterback Joey Aguilar (plus-1,700).
Paul Skrbina is a sports enterprise reporter covering the Predators, Titans, Nashville SC, local colleges and local sports for The Tennessean. Reach him at pskrbina@tennessean.com and on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) @paulskrbina.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Alabama football QB Ty Simpson stayed despite not starting for 3 years
