Where Nick Saban has seen improvement from Ty Simpson, Alabama QBs
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Leading up to the start of the 2023 season, head coach Nick Saban has been asked about Alabama’s quarterback battle in almost every press conference he’s held. He has also been asked specifically about some of the key candidates in the position competition, like Jalen Milroe, Tyler Buchner and Dylan Lonergan – just not Ty Simpson.
That changed Wednesday night when, in his final press conference before the Crimson Tide’s season opener against Middle Tennessee, Saban was asked about the redshirt freshman.
“Ty has done a really good job,” Saban said after Wednesday’s practice session. “I think all the quarterbacks have made significant improvement. I think Ty has made improvement.”
Simpson played in four games this past season as Alabama’s No. 3 quarterback behind Milroe, the backup, and Bryce Young, and in doing so, he preserved his redshirt. With that out of the way and a year in the program under his belt, Simpson entered the spring as Milroe’s top competition for the starting spot behind center after Young declared for the draft.
Simpson had an up-and-down A-Day Game performance, although, he sprained the thumb on his throwing hand early in the scrimmage and remained in the mix for the starting job, even after Alabama added Buchner from the transfer portal. It appears as though Milroe will start the first game, but Simpson could be the next up if Alabama utilizes multiple quarterbacks.
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It remains to be seen, however, exactly when the former 5-star prospect will see the field in the first game, but he has made improvements. Saban elaborated on where he has seen Simpson and the Tide’s other quarterbacks have made noticeable progress ahead of Saturday.
“I think one of the hardest things to not get involved with is to be outcome-oriented and show your emotions when things don’t go exactly like you’d want them to,” Saban said. “That’s one of the things that I think has helped all of our quarterbacks, especially Ty, improve on.
“Mistakes are opportunities to learn, get better, grow and not get disappointed or frustrated in terms of how it affects the next play. And that’s something that he’s done a really good job of, and I think it’s impacted his execution in a really positive way.”
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