“Alabama and Ole Miss Name Their 2025 Quarterbacks: Power Shift, Promise, and What It All Means for the SEC”
Alabama and Ole Miss have both officially revealed their starting quarterbacks for the 2025 season—a pivotal moment for two SEC powerhouses. Here’s a 1,500-word deep dive into who they’ve chosen, when those decisions were finalized, and why these designations carry far more weight than just filling a lineup slot.
On August 11, 2025, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer confirmed that redshirt junior Ty Simpson would start at quarterback for the Crimson Tide opener—beating out redshirt sophomore Austin Mack and true freshman Keelon Russell.
The announcement came after a competitive camp. Simpson’s leadership, composure, and steady command earned public praise from DeBoer, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan. Teammates also pointed to his quiet confidence, with Austin Mack highlighting Simpson’s respectful and inclusive approach to leadership.
Simpson’s readiness was underscored by his performance in scrimmages—his grip on the offense stood out among all contenders, and at a Monday meeting before the decision, the QB room was commended as “tight-knit” and mature.
Notably, this marks Alabama’s first preseason quarterback naming under new HC Kalen DeBoer, succeeding the iconic Nick Saban—a clear statement that the program is embracing a new chapter while seeking continuity at the most critical spot.
- Stability During Transition: With the departure of Jalen Milroe to the NFL, Alabama needed a steady hand to guide a retooling offense. Simpson brings familiarity and continuity.
- Moral and Team Culture Signal: Simpson’s character-first reputation—loyalty, maturity, leadership—sets a tone for a culture-driven offense.
- Control of the Narrative: Alabama avoided an offseason of quarterback speculation by making the call clear before camp.
- Competitive Continuity: As a redshirt junior within the program, Simpson provides a bridge to younger talent like Mack and Russell, promising short-term readiness with long-term upside.
On the Rebels’ side, the starting quarterback role was widely expected to go to sophomore Austin Simmons well before training camp wound down. Lane Kiffin, at SEC Media Days in mid-July, affirmed that Simmons would lead the offense—not to replicate what former QB Jaxson Dart achieved, but to bring his own identity.
That expectation held firm through preseason evaluations. A July 14 feature described Simmons as possessing “elite talent” and poised to be the Rebels’ QB1. By late July, preseason analysis confirmed Simmons as the “clear starter,” even if a formal announcement was pending.
Simmons brings a remarkable backstory: graduating college by age 19, dual-sport athlete, extraordinary arm and poise, with a taste of the spotlight from a high-pressure drive against Georgia last season.
Why It Matters for Ole Miss:
- New Era After Dart: With Jaxson Dart off to the NFL and leaving a legacy at Ole Miss, Simmons represents both continuity in system and a new identity.
- High Upside, Early Exposure: Simmons has drawn comparisons to NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Tua Tagovailoa—his unique blend of arm talent and athleticism offers high ceiling.
- Youth with Preparation: Despite limited game experience, Simmons has been groomed closely under Kiffin and OC Charlie Weis Jr. and displayed composure beyond his years.
- Set Comes with Pressure: Expectations are heightened—Rebels are ranked No. 21 in preseason AP poll, and a QB1 in Simmons raises stakes early.
While both programs now know who quarterbacks their offense will rely on, the ripple effects extend much further across the SEC:
- Identity & Philosophy Signal: Alabama’s choice underscores a shift to process and culture under DeBoer. Ole Miss, meanwhile, betting on Simmons underscores a dynamic, high-ceiling future.
- Media and Fan Expectations: Named starters quiet offseason chatter and give fans and media a focal point to rally behind or question. Alabama fans will watch whether Simpson can match Milroe’s spark; Rebels fans will watch Simmons deliver on promise.
- Recruitment & Retention: These decisions narrate the internal culture. Alabama projects composure and fidelity, signaling to recruits that meritocracy and character matter. Ole Miss highlights opportunity, youth, and rapid progression—a siren call to high-upside athletes.
- Strategic Matchups Ahead: Conference showdowns—Alabama’s opener vs. FSU, and early SEC fixtures for both teams—will be viewed through the lens of who’s under center. Early QB clarity can make game planning more nuanced for opponents.
- Program Trajectory Narratives: For Alabama—a traditional powerhouse adjusting to new leadership—naming Simpson is both a return to form and a test of continuity. For Ole Miss—surging under Kiffin—the Simmons era is the next chapter in ascending beyond the Dart legacy.
On August 11, Alabama officially tapped Ty Simpson as its 2025 starting quarterback amid competitive depth and a transition in leadership—highlighting calm, character, and experience. Across the state line, Ole Miss had long since positioned Austin Simmons as its QB1, a confident, high-ceiling sophomore stepping into a new era after Dart.
Both announcements are pivotal—not just as roster moves, but as statements of identity, ambition, and direction. When those helmets rise on kickoff weekend, the choice of quarterback will reverberate through every facet of the program—from coaching strategy to media narrative, from fan optimism to SEC power structure.
