“Greg McElroy Blown Away as Alabama Looks ‘Better Than Expected’ in Saturday Scrimmage, Showers Praise on Rising Star QB Ty Simpson for Commanding Performance”
Greg McElroy has never been shy about offering honest, detailed assessments of Alabama football. As a former Crimson Tide quarterback and national champion, he understands the standard in Tuscaloosa better than most, and his evaluations tend to carry weight with the fan base. That’s why his latest remarks about the team’s most recent Saturday scrimmage have generated so much excitement among Alabama faithful. McElroy not only stated that the Crimson Tide looked “better than expected,” but he also went out of his way to rave about quarterback Ty Simpson, whose performance left a lasting impression. For Alabama fans anxiously waiting to see how the team would shape up under the spotlight of preseason expectations, McElroy’s words serve as both reassurance and fuel for optimism heading into the 2025 campaign.
The scrimmage, held at Bryant-Denny Stadium, was closed to the public, as is customary for Alabama under its current coaching regime. Only players, coaches, and a select group of insiders were able to witness the full scope of the action. However, those in attendance, like McElroy, were given a clear picture of where the Tide stands as the season rapidly approaches. McElroy’s comments painted the kind of picture that fans dream of hearing—one of a team looking sharper, more prepared, and more cohesive than even a well-informed analyst anticipated. His focus on Ty Simpson was particularly notable, not just because Simpson has been the subject of intense offseason scrutiny, but because the quarterback position is often the determining factor in whether Alabama can contend for a national title.
When McElroy says Alabama looked “better than expected,” it’s important to remember that his expectations are not those of a casual fan. He evaluates the Tide through the lens of a championship-winning quarterback who knows exactly how a team should look if it’s going to survive the gauntlet of SEC play and make a serious push for the College Football Playoff. His standard is based on precision, physicality, mental toughness, and the ability to execute at a high level under pressure. For McElroy to say that the team exceeded those standards at this point in the preseason is a significant endorsement, and it suggests that Alabama may be further along in its development than many outsiders have assumed.
The star of the show in McElroy’s retelling, however, was Ty Simpson. The third-year quarterback, who officially secured the starting role earlier this month, appears to have taken full command of the offense. McElroy raved about Simpson’s decision-making, poise, and leadership during the scrimmage. He noted that Simpson not only executed the offensive game plan effectively but also displayed the confidence and field presence of a player who has fully embraced the responsibility that comes with being the face of Alabama football. In McElroy’s eyes, Simpson’s performance wasn’t just about hitting open receivers—it was about managing the game, making the right reads, avoiding unnecessary risks, and demonstrating the kind of control that separates good quarterbacks from great ones.
For Simpson, this kind of public praise couldn’t have come at a better time. After spending much of his career battling for the starting job and facing questions about whether he could deliver on his promise as a highly touted recruit, he now finds himself leading one of the most talented rosters in the country. Alabama’s quarterback situation in recent years has been a carousel of NFL-caliber talent—Bryce Young, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, and Jalen Hurts all left big shoes to fill. Simpson’s challenge has been to not just continue that tradition but to do so in his own style, earning respect through consistent play and leadership. McElroy’s praise indicates that Simpson is making significant strides in that direction.
Of course, quarterback play is just one element of what McElroy saw. His comments suggested that Alabama’s overall team performance was clicking in multiple areas. The offensive line reportedly held up well against a defensive front that has been retooled to emphasize speed and disruption. The running game, often the heartbeat of Alabama football, showed depth and versatility, with several backs contributing explosive runs and displaying good vision. Receivers ran crisp routes and minimized drops, a detail that speaks to improved discipline and chemistry with Simpson. The defense, meanwhile, balanced aggression with discipline, avoiding the kind of mental lapses that can lead to big plays for the opposition.
What makes McElroy’s optimism so impactful is that it’s not based on a single highlight or flashy moment—it’s rooted in the sustained quality of play he observed across multiple drives and situations. Alabama looked like a team capable of adapting on the fly, executing in both short-yardage and long-field scenarios, and maintaining composure even when the defense brought heavy pressure. These are the kinds of qualities that championship teams need, and they are rarely fully in place at this stage of the preseason.
Another key point in McElroy’s remarks was his acknowledgment of the team’s overall readiness compared to where he expected them to be. In recent years, Alabama’s early-season performances have sometimes been marked by slow starts or growing pains as new starters adjusted to their roles. This year, the impression from the scrimmage is that the team is already operating with a level of sharpness that usually takes weeks to develop. That could be a critical advantage, especially given Alabama’s schedule, which includes early challenges that will test the team’s composure and execution.
McElroy also hinted at the intangible factors that separate good teams from great ones—energy, focus, and unity. He described the sideline as engaged and supportive, with players encouraging each other after both successful and unsuccessful plays. He emphasized the visible leadership from veteran players, including Simpson, who appeared vocal and confident in rallying his teammates. These qualities can often be overlooked in preseason analysis, but they play a pivotal role in navigating the inevitable adversity of a football season.
For fans, McElroy’s breakdown is the kind of report that feeds the hype machine in Tuscaloosa. Alabama’s faithful are always hungry for signs that their team is ready to make another run at the national championship, and hearing that the squad not only met but exceeded the expectations of a respected former quarterback is exactly the kind of news that fuels optimism. Simpson’s emergence as a commanding leader and playmaker adds an extra layer of intrigue, especially given the high-profile nature of the position and the legacy of his predecessors.
It’s also worth noting that McElroy is not in the business of delivering empty praise. His commentary is typically measured and grounded in the reality of what he sees. If there were glaring weaknesses, he wouldn’t hesitate to point them out. The fact that his evaluation leaned so heavily into the positives—without the usual caveats about areas needing major improvement—should carry even more weight for Alabama supporters. It suggests that the Crimson Tide are not just on the right track but may already be positioned to deliver on their lofty goals this season.
As Alabama continues its preparation for the season opener, the spotlight on Ty Simpson will only intensify. Every throw, every decision, and every leadership moment will be scrutinized by fans and media alike. But if the version of Simpson that McElroy saw in the scrimmage is the same one that shows up when the lights come on, then Alabama could have the steady, dynamic quarterback play necessary to complement its talent across the board. That combination is often the difference between being a good team and being the last one standing in January.
Ultimately, McElroy’s assessment of Alabama’s scrimmage serves as both validation and motivation. It validates the work the players and coaching staff have put in throughout the offseason, showing tangible progress that’s visible to an experienced eye. At the same time, it offers motivation by setting a public expectation—if this team already looks this sharp, then anything short of elite performance during the season will be seen as falling short of potential. That’s the double-edged sword of high praise in a program like Alabama’s: it raises the bar even higher.
For now, though, Alabama fans can take comfort in knowing that one of their own, a national champion and respected voice in college football, believes the Tide might already be ahead of schedule. The image of Ty Simpson confidently leading the offense, commanding the huddle, and earning praise from someone like McElroy is one that will linger in the minds of fans until they see it for themselves on game day. And if McElroy’s glowing review proves to be a preview of what’s to come, then the rest of college football might be in for a harsh reminder of what happens when Alabama starts the season looking “better than expected.”
