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

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.

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.