As the Crimson Tide consider their quarterbacking option, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer issued a harsh warning about Ty Simpson.

The Alabama Crimson Tide are no strangers to quarterback battles, especially with the long legacy of success that the program has had under various quarterbacks. With the departure of Bryce Young, one of the most talented quarterbacks to ever wear the Alabama uniform, the team now faces one of its most critical decisions in recent years — choosing the next leader under center.

Alabama has traditionally been a program that has fielded top-tier quarterbacks, with stars like Joe Namath, Kenny Stabler, and more recently, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, and Bryce Young leading the charge for the Tide’s offense. But the decision now looms large for head coach Kalen DeBoer, as he prepares for the 2025 season.

Ty Simpson, a highly touted recruit out of Westview High School, was one of the prized pieces in Alabama’s 2022 recruiting class. Initially considered the quarterback of the future for the Crimson Tide, Simpson now finds himself in a heated competition for the starting role. However, despite the excitement surrounding his potential, Coach DeBoer recently issued a harsh warning about Simpson’s readiness to take over the reins of Alabama’s offense. This comes amid mounting pressure to make the right choice, given the high expectations for the program and its quarterback position.

The Quarterback Situation at Alabama

Before diving into Coach DeBoer’s comments, it’s important to understand the backdrop of Alabama’s quarterback competition. Ty Simpson entered Alabama with considerable fanfare. A five-star recruit and one of the top quarterbacks in his class, Simpson was seen as a future star. His impressive high school career and physical tools had coaches and scouts raving about his potential. However, since his arrival, the path to a starting role has been far from smooth.

In 2023, Simpson had to compete with Jalen Milroe and Tyler Buchner for the starting spot, and despite showing promise in limited opportunities, he was not able to seize the role outright. Milroe, with his strong arm and dual-threat ability, earned the starting role for most of the season, while Simpson’s time on the field remained limited. This led to questions about his development and whether he was truly ready to take over one of the most prestigious quarterback positions in college football.

In the offseason leading up to 2025, Coach DeBoer faced the monumental task of deciding who would be his starting quarterback. The options for the Crimson Tide were clear — Milroe had the experience, while Simpson, despite his potential, still had much to prove. In a press conference during the offseason, Coach DeBoer made his thoughts clear, especially when it came to Ty Simpson’s preparedness for a starting role.

Coach DeBoer’s Harsh Warning About Simpson

While Coach Kalen DeBoer has been known for his calm demeanor and focus on player development, his recent remarks about Simpson were pointed and carried a sense of urgency. DeBoer addressed the media with a blunt message about Simpson’s progression, signaling that while he still had high expectations for the young quarterback, there were aspects of his game that needed substantial improvement before he could be trusted as the starting quarterback.

“Ty is a talented kid, there’s no doubt about that,” DeBoer began, acknowledging Simpson’s potential. “But right now, potential isn’t enough. At Alabama, you need to be ready to perform at the highest level. We’re not in a position where we can afford to wait for someone to figure it out on the fly. We need a quarterback who can execute, who can lead this offense and this team right now.”

DeBoer’s comments were not only a wake-up call to Simpson but to the entire Alabama fanbase. The expectations at Alabama are always sky-high, and the position of quarterback is one of the most critical on the field. Despite Simpson’s impressive high school pedigree and obvious physical tools, Coach DeBoer made it clear that talent alone would not be enough to earn the starting spot.

“Ty’s got a great arm, and his athleticism is there. But it’s about reading defenses, making quick decisions, and controlling the tempo of the game,” DeBoer continued. “In practice, we’ve seen some things that need work. He’s still growing in those areas. We need a quarterback who understands the offense inside and out, who can step into that huddle and command respect from the players around him.”

The Implications of DeBoer’s Comments

Coach DeBoer’s warning about Simpson carries significant implications for the Alabama football program. The quarterback battle in Tuscaloosa is always one of the most highly scrutinized storylines, and with a program as successful as Alabama, the decision on who starts under center is never taken lightly.

First and foremost, DeBoer’s comments make it clear that there is still a substantial gap between Simpson’s potential and his current readiness to lead the team. While many have regarded Simpson as the future of Alabama football, his lack of experience, decision-making struggles, and inconsistencies in practice have left doubts about his immediate ability to thrive in the SEC.

With a program that is consistently in the national title conversation, the stakes are incredibly high for Alabama’s next quarterback. The Crimson Tide cannot afford to have a quarterback who is still learning the ropes when facing powerhouse teams in the SEC. This is why DeBoer’s message is so important: the Tide need someone who is ready to perform at a high level right now, not someone who is still adjusting to the speed of the game.

What This Means for Ty Simpson

For Simpson, Coach DeBoer’s remarks are both a challenge and an opportunity. The warning signals that he is not guaranteed the starting job, and if he wants to earn it, he will need to prove that he can meet the expectations of the program. This might push Simpson to step up in ways he hasn’t before, focusing on improving his decision-making, his understanding of the offense, and his leadership.

Simpson’s time at Alabama has not been without its bright spots. He has shown flashes of brilliance, demonstrating the arm strength, mobility, and poise that made him one of the top quarterback prospects in the country. However, college football — especially at Alabama — is about more than just raw talent. It’s about execution, consistency, and the ability to perform in pressure-filled situations. These are the qualities that Coach DeBoer is demanding from Simpson, and if he can rise to the challenge, he could very well become the starting quarterback for Alabama in 2025.

But the harsh reality of DeBoer’s warning is that Simpson may not be ready for that role just yet. If Simpson does not show significant improvement in the areas that DeBoer highlighted, Alabama may turn to other options. This could mean a continued role for Jalen Milroe, who has the experience and skill set to run the offense, or possibly even a new recruit coming in who may be more prepared to step in right away.

The Stakes for Alabama Football

As Alabama enters the 2025 season, the stakes are incredibly high. The Crimson Tide are always expected to compete for national championships, and the quarterback position is critical to achieving that goal. Alabama’s offense under Saban — and now under DeBoer — has been designed to operate at an elite level, and that starts with having a quarterback who can execute at a championship-caliber standard.

For Alabama to continue its dominance in the SEC and contend for a national title, DeBoer will need to make the right choice at quarterback. While Simpson has the potential to be a future star, his development and readiness for the starting role will be a key factor in how Alabama’s season unfolds.

The harsh warning from Coach DeBoer serves as a reminder that potential alone will not secure a starting spot at Alabama. The competition for the quarterback job will be fierce, and Simpson’s ability to rise to the challenge will determine whether he has what it takes to lead the Crimson Tide in 2025.