Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson grew up as a Tim Tebow fan in Martin, Tennessee. Simpson wasn't just any fan of the Florida Gators Heisman winner.
He was a Fathead fan.
The Fathead trend was one more prominent in the aughts, but Simpson was clearly influenced by his hero enough to go all-in on his dream and become an SEC QB too. It landed him in one of Nick Saban's last recruiting classes, and now to being Kalen DeBoer's first chosen QB1, after he inherited Jalen Milroe's last year of eligibility last year.
"I had a Fat Head [wall graphic] of him growing up. I loved the way he played, how passionate he was, and how outspoken he was about his faith," Simpson said of Tebow. "I thought that was really cool, and it's something that I want to be now that I'm on this platform. I want people to know I'm a Christian first and then I'm a football player. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Simpson is also a fan of his father, Jason, and sent a heartfelt message on the current UT Martin Skyhawks head football coach in the same interview.
"Growing up, him being a coach is what I want to be one day," Simpson said. "The way that I saw him be in his program every day, see him talk to his guys just about, one, being a Christian -- just giving the Word to other guys has been really cool to me. Another thing is how passionate he is about football. We both love the game, it kind of brought us together."
Ty Simpson getting Ryan Grubb's system
Simpson has been through a coaching change and is now on his third offensive coordinator. That hasn't stopped him from owning the system of his current play-caller, Ryan Grubb.
The Crimson Tide had a three-man quarterback competition between Simpson, Austin Mack, and freshman Keelon Russell this offseason. It was clear early on, though, that Simpson was the probable, and deserving, option.
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