Skip to main content
alabama logo

New Alabama WR Isaiah Horton on reuniting with Ty Simpson: 'That's my guy'

1918632_10206777287683070_1367905321192383146_nby:Charlie Potter•04/03/25•

Charlie_Potter

Alabama QB Ty Simpson
Alabama QB Ty Simpson (Courtesy of UA Athletics)

Miami transfer wide receiver Isaiah Horton committed to Alabama in late December, and one of the reasons he chose the Crimson Tide was his familiarity with one of its three quarterbacks.

A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Horton attended Oakland High School in Murfreesboro. Three hours to the west was Westview High School, where Ty Simpson starred. Two of the state’s top players in the 2022 class linked up on the camp circuit and are again teammates.

“That’s my guy,” said Horton of Simpson in an interview with the Crimson Tide Sports Network. “He was my 7-on-7 quarterback when we were in high school, so when we were younger. We had that little chemistry. But yeah, that’s my guy. It’s kind of one of the reasons I came here, too, just to get back with him.

“He’s a stud. He’s gonna be one of them ones. I just believe in him.”

Simpson was a 5-star recruit and the No. 2 overall player from Tennessee in the 2022 cycle, per the On3 Industry rankings. Horton was the No. 12 prospect from the Volunteer State. Simpson committed to play for Nick Saban and Alabama, and Horton committed to Miami. But four years later, they have an opportunity to share the same field for the Crimson Tide.

Reuniting in Tuscaloosa, Horton sees a lot of the same traits in Simpson from high school.

“Back then, he was a 5-star. He was nice,” Horton said. “And then just coming (here), it’s a full circle coming back. We’re just back together, and you can just feel the chemistry. It’s nice. It’s a good feeling.”

Simpson is battling for Alabama’s starting quarterback job this spring. After 10 practices, he is in “firm control” of the No. 1 spot, according to former Tide quarterback turned ESPN analyst Greg McElroy. But there is plenty of football between now and the opener on August 30.

The redshirt junior will have to hold off Austin Mack and Keelon Russell the rest of spring camp, summer work and preseason camp, and potentially even into the fall. The Alabama quarterback battle isn’t over, and Horton has seen “great” things from Mack and Russell, as well.

“They’re both doing a great job,” Horton said. “They’re both competing. I can’t just pick one out. They’re all doing an incredible job, and they’re working hard. It means something to them. You just see it in each and every one of them.”

Alabama will hold its second closed scrimmage on Friday, April 4, at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Not a member, Alabama fans? Join BOL today!

Have you subscribed to BamaOnLine.com yet? You can sign up for ONE MONTH of premium access to our Alabama coverage for just $11.99! Be able to read all of BOL’s premium articles and nuggets covering Alabama sports and recruiting and also join thousands of other Crimson Tide fans around the globe on the BOL Round Table message board! CLICK HERE!

You may also like