Kalen DeBoer explains pulling Ty Simpson in second half
Kalen DeBoer breaks down why Ty Simpson was benched during the second half and what led to the decision.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated with new information
Ty Simpson is off to the NFL draft.
The Alabama football quarterback announced on social media on Wednesday, Jan. 7 that he’s declaring for the NFL draft.
It was also reported by The Tuscaloosa News — part of the USA TODAY Network — and ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Jan. 7 that the 6-foot-2 quarterback informed Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide staff on Wednesday that he is moving on to the next chapter of his playing career.
“Growing up in a small town like Martin (Tennessee) didn’t stop me from having big dreams. But man, that first visit from Coach Saban was surreal. The legend was in our house, eating my mom’s cooking, painting a picture of what it would be like to play for the Crimson Tide. Coach told me straight up it wasn’t going to be easy, but he told me if I trusted the process, it would be a ride worth taking,” Simpson said in a heartfelt video on Instagram. “I chose Alabama then, and I’d do it a thousand times over.”
The decision comes less than a week after Alabama struggled in the College Football Playoff Rose Bowl quarterfinal against No. 1 Indiana. Simpson did not finish the Crimson Tide’s 38-3 loss to the Hoosiers, as he was pulled out by DeBoer following Alabama’s first drive in the second half for what was called a “coach’s decision” after Simpson cracked his rib after taking a helmet to it during a quarterback run in the second quarter.
A longtime backup at Alabama, Simpson led the Crimson Tide to an 11-4 record and the program’s first CFP appearance since Nick Saban’s retirement in his lone season as the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback. He finished this season 305-of-473 passing (64.5%) for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions.
He finished first in the SEC in completions (305) and second in the SEC in both touchdown passes (28) and passing yards (3,567). Once seen as the Heisman betting favorite in the middle of the season after leading Alabama to four consecutive wins against top-15-ranked opponents, Simpson ended up not finishing in the top 10 of Heisman Trophy voting.
A former five-star recruit and the No. 3-ranked quarterback in the 2022 recruiting class, Simpson finishes with 3,948 career passing yards and 33 total touchdowns in his four seasons at Alabama.
“There’s no journey like the one I’m on now. Four years of grinding, growing up, and a whole lot of prayer to the man above. And learning, as Coach Sabin said to become process-oriented. There was temptation along the way, temptation to find an easier path, but when you choose Alabama football, there is a responsibility and pride that comes with it. It’s something you feel deep down. It’s not a choice to stay at Alabama. You just are Alabama or you’re not,” Simpson continued.
“…It wasn’t all perfect. It didn’t have to be, but every moment had meaning and I gave Alabama my all, and I got so much more in return. Coach Saban was right. It was all worth it. I’m proud to be a part of this legacy, to have chosen to be where my feet are, to have learned that you can’t be anybody but yourself and to strive to be the best version of yourself every single day. I’ll cherish all of it as I take the next step for preparing for the NFL draft. It will always and forever be about Bama, Roll Tide.”
He is currently projected to go No. 3 overall to the Arizona Cardinals in USA TODAY Sports’ Aytron Ostly’s latest NFL Mock draft (Jan. 7) and No. 21 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in USA TODAY Sports’ Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz’s latest mock draft (Jan. 4). He is ranked as Mel Kiper Jr.’s No. 3-ranked quarterback in this year’s NFL draft class as well.
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