‘I don’t want to say it’s personal’ – Alabama QB Ty Simpson has a history with Tennessee, and he’s ready to face the Vols

Alabama Crimson Tide QB Ty Simpson was recruited heavily by the Tennessee Vols. Josh Heupel, however, had just been hired to replace Jeremy Pruitt, and Simpson couldn’t pull the trigger on committing to Tennessee.

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson has a history with the Tennessee Vols.

And that history will be talked about plenty before next Saturday’s matchup in Tuscaloosa between the Vols and the Crimson Tide.

Simpson, from Martin, TN, was heavily recruited by Tennessee in early 2021.

At the time, Josh Heupel had just been hired by Tennessee to replace Jeremy Pruitt. Heupel made a Hail Mary attempt to land Simpson. But Heupel ultimately didn’t have enough time to convince Simpson to play for the Vols. There were simply too many unknowns with the Vols. Heupel had yet to coach a game for Tennessee when Simpson committed to Alabama.

After Alabama’s win against the Missouri Tigers on Saturday, Simpson was asked about the emotions of playing against Tennessee.

“Of course, growing up, I knew about Tennessee and the Big Orange,” said Simpson. “But I don’t want to say it’s personal by any means. It’s just another game. I’m not going to make it bigger than it is. Obviously, a really good team coming in here [with] a really good defense, and a really good offense. We know what happened last year, but it’s just like Vanderbilt week. We’re not going to make it about last year; it’s going to be about this year.”

Ty Simpson may not be making the game personal, but the Vols might be

It’s not a surprise that Simpson isn’t making the game against Tennessee “personal.” After all, the Vols badly wanted Simpson to play quarterback on Rocky Top. It’s not like Tennessee shunned him in any way.

If anything, it’s Tennessee that will feel the need to make things personal against Simpson and the Crimson Tide next Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

Remember, it’s well-documented that Simpson strung Heupel and the Vols along in the final stages of his recruitment.

Tennessee hired Heupel on Jan. 27, 2021. Simpson committed to Alabama on Feb. 26, 2021.

After committing to the Crimson Tide, Simpson told Rivals.com that he knew on Feb. 1 that he was going to Alabama. That means Simpson gave Heupel and the Vols only four days to recruit him before he chose Alabama.

Heupel and the Vols continued to recruit Simpson throughout February, even though the quarterback’s mind had already been made up. It felt like Simpson gave Tennessee the run-around, just to make it look like he seriously considered the Vols.

I’m not saying that Tennessee will make things personal against Simpson and Alabama on Saturday. But if either side has a reason to make it personal, it’s Tennessee’s side.

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