Despite Heisman buzz, Ty Simpson's humility shines. DeBoer highlights his team-first attitude, proving true leadership triumphs over individual glory.
In a college football world often fueled by headlines, highlights, and Heisman campaigns, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is quietly proving that humility still wins.
During Wednesday’s SEC coaches teleconference, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer was asked about Simpson’s growing Heisman buzz. But DeBoer made it clear that’s not what his quarterback is focused on.
“I mean, in our building he’s not bringing it up,” DeBoer said. “Our coaches aren’t bringing it up. Everyone knows, I think, that individual accolades come along when your team is successful, and especially when you’re the quarterback if you’re winning football games. And with our system revolving around a lot of what the quarterback can do, that will take care of itself if we continue to win.”
That’s classic Alabama football. It truly is the standard. A culture where the spotlight always belongs to the team, not the individual.
And Simpson embodies that perfectly.
Through the first eight games of the season, Simpson has thrown for 1,931 yards, going 153 of 218 for 18 touchdowns and just one interception. He’s been sharp, steady, and everything DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide could have hoped for when Simpson took over as QB1 this year.
But what is even perhaps more impressive than the stats is honestly this: Simpson’s attitude.
Despite being one of the nation’s leading candidates for the Heisman Trophy, he carries himself like someone who just wants to win football games: not awards. He truly cares about his team winning a national championship more than he does winning a a personal award.
It’s that mindset that has quickly made him a leader in Alabama’s locker room.
His teammates see it.
His coaches see it.
And now, the rest of the country is starting to as well.
DeBoer’s praise isn’t just about production: it’s about personality.
Simpson has become a reflection of what this Alabama team is under DeBoer: focused, grounded, and quietly confident.
Yes, the numbers make a strong Heisman case. But Simpson’s legacy this season might be even bigger than that. He’s showing college football what leadership looks like in its purest form: a player who puts the team above everything else, even when the whole world is talking about him.
If the Heisman comes, it’ll come because of exactly that.