It has been more than 14 months since Ty Simpson arrived on Alabama’s campus in December 2021, and during that time, the public has seen the Tide’s five-star quarterback throw exactly 17 passes.

Simpson made 12 pass attempts in last April’s spring game, completing five for 43 yards. And in limited game action last season as a freshman, he completed four of his five throws for 35 yards.

Behind closed doors in practice, Alabama players saw a whole lot more of the nation’s third-rated quarterback in the 2022 class by 247 Sports. One of those players, former saferty DeMarcco Hellams, was asked Thursday at the NFL combine to describe Simpson.

“He can play in the pocket, but Ty has great speed that not a lot of people know about,” Hellams said. “He definitely has a little, I’d say, Pat Mahomes in him, a little bit, the way he can extend plays and still look downfield with his eyes.”

The departure of Bryce Young has opened a competition between Jalen Milroe, who will enter his third season, and Simpson, entering his second, to start in the fall.

“I expect it to be a great quarterback competition [and] a great offense, no matter who’s running it,” Hellams said. “Two competitive guys. They definitely have their own style of play. But they definitely have a great leadership abilities, great playing abilities, and they’ll definitely be good.”

Young, who was Alabama’s most recent five-star quarterback commitment before Simpson, served as Mac Jones’ primary backup as a freshman in 2020 and saw considerable late-game playing time during Alabama’s undefeated season, attempting 22 passes. Simpson’s opportunities as the No. 3 last season were much more limited, but he gave the defense “amazing” looks on the scout team, according to former safety Jordan Battle this week at the NFL combine.

Added former safety Brian Branch: “Ty Simpson is a great quarterback. I feel like he’s accurate, great decision-maker. He’s elusive. He can get up and get out of the pocket fast. I feel like there’s going to be great things in store for him the next few years.”

Milroe entered Alabama’s game at Arkansas last October when Young injured his shoulder, then started the next week against Texas A&M. Aggies safety Antonio Johnson played against Young in 2021 and Milroe in 2022, and explained his approach Thursday to each.

“Bryce Young is a great quarterback, very smart quarterback and doesn’t make a lot of mistakes,” Johnson said. “We knew we had to get him uncomfortable, so we blitzed him a lot. That was our way of trying to contain him as much as we could.

“The difference was, the quarterback this year at Alabama was very athletic. We knew that, and he was an overall good quarterback as well. We knew we just had to try to contain him as much as we could. That was about it.”

Milroe, who had a 77-yard run against Arkansas, ran 17 times for 81 yards against the Aggies. He completed 12 of 19 passes for 111 yards, three touchdowns and one interception while being sacked four times. He appeared briefly in three more games last season, with his most significant action coming against Austin Peay in November, when he was intercepted once on four passes.

“Jalen, I don’t know if y’all know, he definitely worked hard on his passing abilities,” Hellams said. “Worked hard on being consistent, develop himself as a leader. He definitely never shied away from wanting to get better, so I think he will.”

Battle praised both Simpson and Milroe for their “fire” and “energy” they showed in practice.

“Both of them love the game of football, you can tell,” he said. “Jalen Milroe: very faithful guy. He’s my guy. He’s actually one of my little brothers I call him, him and Terrion Arnold were my guys when I was there. I love the progress Jalen has made. I love the progress Ty has made. … I feel like he has a great future ahead of him, as well.”

Alabama begins spring practice later this month with its spring game scheduled for April 22.

“Two great quarterbacks,” Branch said. “The best one wins.”

Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.