Alabama fans thanked so many players that did not pursue the NCAA transfer portal after Nick Saban retired.
Ty Simpson was someone that would have had offers from everywhere if he had left Alabama. The former five-star quarterback from Tennessee could have been a starter anywhere else in college football, but he believes in the Crimson Tide’s culture.
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Simpson, who added 12 pounds of muscle to his 6’2″ frame in the offseason, enters his third year at 215 pound.
He trained a lot over the summer, used time to build up his body, and has the trust of everyone in the program to run the offense.
Simpson is the primary backup to Jalen Milroe; however, he has a bright future with the Tide. He’s had to wait his time, but so did another former Alabama signal-caller that captured a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2015. Jacob Coker, a native of Mobile, Ala., attended Florida State University from 2011 to 2013. He was a backup to Jameis Winston in the Seminoles’ 2013 BCS National Championship team, yet he transferred to Tuscaloosa (Ala.) in the summer of 2014. Coker backed up Blake Sims for the 2014 season, but got his opportunity to start the following year. He had some ups and downs, but Coker grew at the right time and led the Crimson Tide to a national title. Coker understands the process Simpson is in, but he respects the young man’s mindset. In Tuesday’s airing of The Bama Standard, Coker raved about how impressive it is to see Simpson stick around.
“Ty could have left and had every offer he wanted,” Coker said. “He sticks it out at Alabama, he believes in Coach DeBoer, and DeBoer had a lot to do with him sticking around, but for Ty to stick it out at Alabama … you don’t see that often anymore. He seems like he has grown as a person and player. When Jalen does leave, I hope he excels at Alabama and does really well.”
Coker said you have to appreciate when guys are loyal to a program.
“To me, that says he is a high character guy and someone you can trust,” Coker said about Simpson.
“He is a guy that you want to be a part of your program.”
Simpson had a good spring and is excelling in fall camp thus far.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
