Ty Simpson, the last remaining QB former Alabama head football coach Nick Saban recruited to Tuscaloosa, is 247 Sports’ Brad Crawford’s pick to win the starting job in Ryan Grubb’s Crimson Tide offense this season.

Crawford notes that Simpson, Washington transfer Austin Mack, and 5-star QB Keelon Russell each have a chance at winning the team’s QB competition – but claimed whoever won the job would enjoy downfield opportunities in an up-tempo Grubb offense.

“Who will be Jalen Milroe’s heir at Alabama? Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer isn’t willing to show his hand ahead of the start of spring practice in a few weeks. DeBoer told Bama247 recently that this competition will not ‘waste reps’ during the spring, but all three options will have equal opportunity to show what they’ve got with a chance to impress the coaching staff. Russell, the heralded five-star true freshman, has already impressed as an early enrollee and has the tools to be an early-impact player in the SEC. The more likely option is Simpson, who is a seasoned vet after serving the last few seasons as Alabama’s backup. Mack, a redshirt sophomore, transferred to Alabama from Washington with DeBoer’s arrival and has a familiar face at offensive coordinator after Ryan Grubb re-joined DeBoer after a year in the NFL,” Crawford wrote.

“Alabama transitions to more motion-based looks before the snap with Grubb calling the plays. A preference of bunch formations and stacks on third down pushed Washington to a nation-leading 56.8% conversion rate on third down during the 2022 season and initiated the development of the Huskies’ wideouts, including former first-round pick Rome Odunze. Both years under Grubb, the Huskies were one of college football’s best in explosive plays through the air and pushed tempo, great news for Alabama’s new starting quarterback and those wanting more shots downfield against man coverage.”

The Tuscaloosa News’ Colin Gay also predicted Simpson winning the QB1 role this fall.

“Simpson’s journey with Alabama football has been anything but simple,” Gay wrote.

“Simpson, a former five-star quarterback out of Martin, Tennessee, has backed up two Alabama quarterbacks. He’s played for three different offensive coordinators, three different quarterbacks coaches and two different head coaches, one of whom he thought would never leave.

“And his time as Alabama’s starting quarterback has not yet come.

“That time may have finally arrived. Jalen Milroe, the quarterback Simpson has backed up for two seasons, has entered the NFL draft. Simpson is heading into spring practiced as the presumed favorite to be the first Crimson Tide quarterback to take snaps when Alabama faces Florida State on Aug. 30.”

Simpson may have the narrative lead right now, but he’ll have to show out at the Crimson Tide’s A-Day spring game on April 12 to keep a restless fanbase from calling for a new QB in the April transfer portal cycle.

If Alabama can afford a transfer portal QB, that is.