Ty Simpson just gave Alabama fans another reason to believe he’s the Crimson Tide’s next star quarterback. Over the weekend at the Manning Passing Academy in Louisiana, Simpson lit up the field with his arm strength, earning rave reviews from scouts and turning heads with deep-ball precision.
Simpson heads into fall camp as the frontrunner to start for Alabama in 2025, with Austin Mack and Keelon Russell pushing him for the job. But nothing that’s happened since spring has shaken Simpson’s hold on the top spot.
His standout moment came during a long throw caught on video — a perfect strike traveling 55-60 yards — showing off the kind of arm talent that made him a 5-star recruit in the 2022 class. QB Country scout Thomas Morris didn’t hold back, calling Simpson’s arm “first-round” quality and saying it was as impressive as any quarterback at the camp, which featured big names like Arch Manning, Garrett Nussmeier, and Cade Klubnik.
Simpson has patiently waited his turn in Tuscaloosa, but questions lingered about his processing speed after limited action in 2023. He looked improved last season, though he’s still searching for his first collegiate touchdown pass.
For Alabama fans, the best-case scenario is that Simpson follows the path of 2020 Mac Jones, who patiently waited behind stars like Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa before exploding for a spectacular season of 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and a national title run. Simpson doesn’t need to match those exact stats, but he’s facing a similar challenge: proving he can hold off the next big thing — 5-star freshman Keelon Russell — just as Jones had to fend off Bryce Young in 2020.
If Simpson keeps delivering throws like he did at the Manning Passing Academy, he could turn Alabama’s biggest question mark into one of its biggest strengths this fall.
QB Battle Heats Up: Ty Simpson Impresses with First-Round Throws at Manning Camp
