Mekhi Hagens was supposed to be the starting quarterback for Alabama A&M during the 2025 college football season. He is no longer on the team. The

After spring football, Grubb said that if Alabama were to play a game "tomorrow," Simpson, the redshirt junior, would be the starting quarterback. As fall continues, Grubb said that's a mentality Simpson must hold consistently if he wants to be named the starter full-time.

Grubb has not been shy about who he feels is the leader in the race. After A-Day, the Alabama offensive coordinator said if the Crimson Tide were to play a game that next day, Simpson would be the starter. That same refrain has been repeated multiple times by DeBoer throughout the offseason heading into fall.