Fresh off a state championship, Ty Simpson is headed to Tuscaloosa to help with a national title.
The Alabama signee is enrolling in time to participate in Cotton Bowl semifinal practices that begin Thursday. Simpson, on an interview with Rivals site Bama Insider, said he plans to be ready to go for the first workout and his “new normal.”
Nick Saban confirmed his intentions in his Wednesday afternoon signing day news conference.
“It’s every player’s opportunity if they’re mid-year, if they graduate and want to come in and try to contribute in bowl practice, and he’s indicated he may be interested in doing that,” Saban said. “Obviously it will help his development and it’ll help us by having another hand at that position, which is always important, whether it’s scout team or taking reps with the first and second team in terms of his development.”
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Simpson committed to Alabama on Feb. 26, 2021 after picking the Crimson Tide over Clemson and Tennessee. The son of UT-Martin head coach Jason Simpson is the No. 24 overall player in 247Sports’ composite ranking and the No. 3 quarterback.
This isn’t a new phenomenon in the age of early enrollment. Jalen Hurts played the role of Deshaun Watson in January 2016 practices in advance of Alabama’s first national title game meeting with Clemson.
Quarterback Paul Tyson was part of bowl practices in 2018 while Trey Sanders was among the incoming players who got a head start during Citrus Bowl practice in December 2019.
Simpson on the Bama Insider interview said he wasn’t quite sure what to expect but laughed about what he could see from Alabama’s unanimous All-American outside linebacker.
“I’m going to tell Will Anderson before it starts to just stay on that side and don’t touch me as much,” Simpson said with a laugh.
Saban explained why Simpson was the quarterback they targeted in this class while noting his arm strength, accuracy and intelligence.
“He’s kind of one of those guys that loves football, is always asking football questions, wants to learn as much as he can,” Saban said. “I think sometimes those guys get referred to as football junkies, but that’s a good thing and certainly a good thing at the quarterback position. I think he’s bright. He’s smart, he’s a good decision-maker. He’s very instinctive as a player. He can make plays with his feet.
“I just think in every way he was the guy we targeted in this class as being the guy we wanted and we felt very fortunate that we were able to get him.”
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.
