Quarterback Ty Simpson, the No. 27-ranked recruit in the 2022 class, committed to Alabama on Friday.
The No. 2 dual threat caller chose the Crimson Tide over Clemson, Tennessee and UT Martin, and is now the highest commit in Alabama’s 2022 class. Simpson is a 1.85-foot, 190-pound quarterback from Westview High School in Martin, Tennessee, and had a slightly winding road to meet this requirement.
“It was really between Alabama, Clemson and Tennessee,” said Simpson. “They were all neck and neck. At the beginning of the year I was going to go to Tennessee. But then with Coach [Jeremy] Pruitt [getting fired], I started to think I would go to Clemson. I really started to think about what my ambitions are, my dreams and what I want in a program. So I thought the University of Alabama would be the best place for me. “
UT Martin made his final list because his father, Jason Simpson, is the head football coach there. The son gave his father’s school some national recognition in thanks for the help he had provided Ty during the recruitment process.
“I have definitely leaned on him for advice, and he has had a lot of conversations with coaches,” said Simpson. “It’s really cool to get his perspective, but I’ve been experiencing it for a while as the son of a coach. I know what it takes and what happens when recruiting. I know it’s a company.
“It was great to experience it with my own recruitment.”
His father told him to write down what he wanted to achieve in college and choose the school that would help him achieve those goals. His ambitions included making it to the NFL. With former NFL head coach Bill O’Brien now the offensive coordinator at Alabama, and with Nick Saban’s track record for sending his players to the NFL, Alabama felt like the right choice.
“It’s very cool because [O’Brien] tells me stories about the NFL and we watched tape on the NFL and Deshaun Watson, [and] of course Tom Brady, to show the similarities in what they’re going to do this year in violation, “said Simpson.” It’s really cool to be at the biggest football stadium and play for a guy who’s been there and knows what it is. takes to get there. “
That experience in the NFL, the production and success that Alabama has enjoyed over the years, and the stability that Saban has created were all factors in his decision. His dedication gives Alabama two ESPN Jr. 300 commitments in class as he joins linebacker Robert Woodyard, as well as keeping a top quarterback from going to Clemson or Tennessee.
“It was a super tough decision because all those programs have what I could ever want,” said Simpson. “But what it boiled down to was closer to home, developing players, playing with the best guys and getting ready for the NFL. Bill O’Brien, who coached the Texans, Doug Marrone, who coached the Jacksonville Jaguars, and of course Coach. Saban.
“Learning from those boys every day that I am there at school and while playing football, that’s what I dreamed of.”