The Alabama Crimson Tide may be sitting comfortably at No. 6 in the national rankings after five straight wins, but quarterback Ty Simpson isn’t letting anyone in Tuscaloosa get complacent. In fact, according to offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor, Simpson lit a fire under the entire offense during Monday’s team meeting — and his teammates loved every second of it.
Speaking with reporters after Tuesday’s practice, Proctor gave fans a glimpse into the intensity behind closed doors.
“[Ty Simpson is] just a great leader, speaks all the time,” Proctor said. “He ripped our ass when we were in the team meeting yesterday. He knows how to get us riled up.”
That blunt honesty and accountability have become hallmarks of Simpson’s leadership this season. The redshirt junior, who’s gone from a questioned starter to a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender, is setting the tone for a Crimson Tide squad that’s clawed its way back into College Football Playoff contention.
Alabama’s 27–24 road win over Missouri last weekend showcased both the team’s resilience and its imperfections. Simpson was sharp — completing 23-of-31 passes (74.2%) for 200 yards and three touchdowns — but he also endured four sacks, and the Tide’s rushing attack managed a modest 2.9 yards per carry. Those issues clearly didn’t sit well with the fiery quarterback, who reportedly challenged his teammates to raise their level of focus and execution.
“Ty’s not afraid to speak up,” one Alabama staff member reportedly said. “He holds everyone — including himself — to championship standards.”
That’s exactly the kind of leadership Nick Saban — and now Kalen DeBoer, in his first season at the helm — have long demanded from Alabama quarterbacks. Simpson’s growth into that role has been instrumental in keeping the Tide rolling through a brutal stretch of ranked opponents.
And the challenge doesn’t get any easier. This Saturday, Alabama welcomes No. 11 Tennessee to Bryant-Denny Stadium for another primetime showdown under the lights. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC, and Simpson’s message to his teammates couldn’t be clearer: the work isn’t done.
With his blend of poise, precision, and passion, Ty Simpson is proving that Alabama’s championship DNA still runs deep — and if his teammates keep responding to his fire, the Tide may just roar all the way to the Playoff.
