The Tide is slowly but steadily favoring Ty Simpson in Tuscaloosa. The updates from Alabama's practice sessions already suggest that Simpson has a better shot than his competitors, Austin Mack and Keelon Russel, at becoming the team's QB1 in 2025.
OC Ryan Grubb's assessment adds another layer of certainty to Simpson's case.
"(Simpson) earned that, okay?" Grubb said per AL.com. "And I know that’s the line everybody’s looking for, but that is what he earned. Austin Mack made huge strides, also available reps were the same, you know, and he did a really good job. He came out and developed. Just with some of the nuances and take care of the football and things like that, but Ty showed out a little bit better."
Although DeBoer has not officially named favorites, he has lauded Simpson's reps in spring and summer.
Entering his fourth year in Alabama is a major card up Simpson's sleeve. His familiarity with both Nick Saban's and Kalen DeBoer's ways, and mainly, knowing the Crimson Tide culture more than Mack or Russell, adds up.
But DeBoer won't be settling for anything less than perfection in his starting signal-caller. Simpson will be named the starter only if he is the fastest one to fulfill their expectations.
So, Simpson should expect to wait until almost the beginning of the regular season to officially hear his name as the Tide's starter.