Could Ty Simpson be the answer to Alabama football’s run game predicament?

Oct 11, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) runs the ball against Missouri Tigers safety Jalen Catalon (6) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

Every year in college football, a handful of mobile quarterbacks dominate the college football landscape and create highlight after highlight. The threat of a quarterback running the football keeps defensive coaches and players on their toes at all times.

Teams have enough on their plate to worry about in that week of preparation for the next game, but when a team sprinkles in a dose of quarterback run, that week of preparation can quickly turn into a week of worry.

Alabama has a quarterback who is an elite passer with mobility, but his legs are not factored into the game plan that often. Like most quarterbacks, Ty Simpson showcased his running ability in high school, and that is an aspect of his game that has been somewhat forgotten because Simpson was a backup for a few years.

Since becoming Alabama’s starter, the preseason impression was that Simpson would be the guy to find a true balance between running and throwing. There have been very few designed runs for him this year, but that could all change as the Crimson Tide are trying to figure out ways to fix their ground game.

On Tuesday, Simpson was asked about the possibility of him running the ball more as the season goes on to help Alabama open things up in the running game.

“Yeah absolutely,” Simpson said. “I think the quarterback running game is a big part of college football in general just because it gives a defense another thing to worry about. And then, it gives us another hat to be able to block, right? I think that me running is an underrated part of my game. It’s not my best game, but I can move a little bit.”

Like he said, Simpson’s running ability is an underrated part of his game, but perhaps it is underutilized. In the eight games that Alabama has played so far, Simpson has run the ball six or more times in five games, and the majority of those were him evading pressure and taking off.

There is a surprisingly low statistic that demonstrates the lack of explosive plays Alabama has had on the ground this year. Alabama has had only six rushes that have gone for over 20 yards this season. Perhaps the incorporation of the quarterback run could lead to defenders getting out of their gaps and giving Alabama’s backs a big opening for an explosive run.

“Any chance that I can help the team, whether it’s taking off or a designed run or even an option, I’m all for it,” Simpson said.

Simpson alluded to the Alabama offense possibly using him more in the run game this week, but it sounds like he is not going to overly anticipate when he is going to run.

“We’ve got some stuff ready, but like we always do, just execute the play that’s called,” Simpson said.

Against South Carolina, Alabama struggled to connect on deep passes as Simpson missed his receivers on a few plays. When something like that is happening, the running game has to step up when the aerial attack is not working, but that did happen against the Gamecocks. Alabama eventually pulled out the win thanks to some trick plays and defense stops, but the team census is that the offense can’t have another performance like that.

Based on his words, Simpson’s legs being factored into the gameplan could assist multiple areas of the offense, but there is only one way to find out.

Alabama and LSU will face off on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT. It is important to know that Alabama blew out LSU in 2024 thanks to a healthy dose of the quarterback run. Jalen Milroe ran 12 times for 185 yards and four touchdowns.