Alabama’s Ty Simpson is a rare breed of quarterback these days.

He hasn’t left the Crimson Tide and transferred elsewhere, even though he hasn’t been named the starting quarterback in any of his previous three seasons with the program.

Now, he’s the frontrunner to be the next starter at quarterback for Alabama. In the process, he drew praise from Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.

“I’ve got so much respect for the guys who are staying loyal,” Klubnik told On3 in a recent interview. “Guys like Arch [Manning], Garrett Nussmeier, Drew Allar and Ty Simpson. Those are the guys that come to mind. The guys that believe in the program and believe in the culture that they’re at. Just chase to get better every single year. There’s a reason that those are four of the best quarterbacks in college football right now. Guys that have stayed loyal, that have put their noses to the dirt and just went to work, and those are the guys that I respect so much.”

Simpson’s first season with Alabama was in 2022. Bryce Young was fresh off a Heisman Trophy season and had a firm grasp on the job. Then Simpson competed with Jalen Milroe and Tyler Buchner to be the starter in 2023, but Milroe ended up winning out and started most of the season. Then Milroe held onto the job in 2024.

Now the job is open again and Simpson is the elder statesman. He’s competing with Austin Mack and Keelon Russell for the starting job.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.