Paul Finebaum Reveals if Ty Simpson Can Lead Alabama to a National Championship

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 10:00 PM ET

The Alabama Crimson Tide had a challenging 2024 season, marking the first year under head coach Kalen DeBoer. DeBoer replaced legendary coach Nick Saban, who retired after the 2023 season.

The Crimson Tide finished with a 9-4 record, their worst performance since Saban's inaugural year in 2007, and missed the College Football Playoff.

As Alabama enters its second year under DeBoer, the team faces a quarterback controversy. Redshirt junior Ty Simpson is seen as the frontrunner as summer workouts begin, but he will compete against redshirt freshman Austin Mack, who followed DeBoer from Washington, and five-star true freshman Keelon Russell.

On "The Paul Finebaum Show," SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum was asked whether he believes Simpson can lead the Crimson Tide to a national championship.

"I think initially it will be Ty Simpson," Finebaum said. "So, that's all you can really do, guess the starter for the opening weekend against Florida State. Is he capable, yes. I've seen a couple of quarterbacks, I can think of two or three, that probably were below him on the talent level who led Alabama to a national championship."

Finebaum said he feels Simpson is a quarterback that, if he has all the pieces around him and the Crimson Tide don't beat themselves, like Milroe did last year, then he thinks Alabama can win a national championship with the type of talent Simpson has around him.

The issue for Simpson and the other quarterbacks he's in competition with is experience. Simpson is a former five-star prospect, but has only thrown 50 passes in his career, totaling 381 yards. Mack has attempted just three passes, while Russell has not thrown a pass at all.

The Crimson Tide held a practice instead of a traditional spring game scrimmage, meaning fans did not see the three quarterbacks compete in a game-like situation. So, it's unclear how they will handle those situations going forward.

Alabama is set to open the season on Aug. 30 at 3:30 p.m. ET against the Florida State Seminoles on the road.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: