Kalen DeBoer discussed what went into Ty Simpson being selected to the Crimson Tide’s leadership council on Friday.
This comes after Alabama’s outside linebacker, Qua Russaw revealed redshirt junior quarterback, Ty Simpson, was voted to the team’s leadership council by his teammates. Simpson’s new role has since led to much speculation about the selection being a possible indicator of him being the winner of the quarterback competition. DeBoer met with reporters and made it apparent this is indeed not the case when asked if Simpson’s new status will play a part in naming the team’s official starter.
“No, I mean that leadership group was voted on in January,” DeBoer answered. “It was before spring even started, and I would expect Ty (Simpson) to be on that. He’s been here, invested a lot. I would have voted for Ty to be on that in January as well.”
DeBoer then credited Simpson by saying he expected to him to be in this role. DeBoer also commented on what he’s seen from other Alabama quarterbacks, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell.
“He (Simpson) does a great job really of taking advantage of knowing the guys that are on the team, helping them,” DeBoer said. “Obviously, he’s got to take care of his business, and he does. We ask guys to be leaders, and then when you take care of your business, bring someone with you. He does a great job of that. I think the other quarterbacks continue to do it in different ways. Keelon (Russell) does it with his presence. He’s not probably going to be as vocal yet; he hasn’t been around long enough. And Austin’s (Mack) has kind of been there as well. Because of the confidence and the things he’s done, especially the middle half of last fall where he really started kind of showing the effort and energy he would bring the team, I think he’s gained a lot of confidence being a leader as well.”
All three Alabama quarterbacks took first-team reps Friday during the Tide’s second scrimmage, but Mack and Simpson took majority of the first-team reps.
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