Coach -

Quarterback play defines Alabama football. Every snap, every read, every throw carries the weight of a legacy built by Heisman winners and first-round picks. For Ty Simpson stepping into that role in 2025, the key isn’t flashy new plays—it’s mastering fundamentals and executing core concepts with precision.

That’s exactly the focus Nick Sheridan brings in his approach to quarterback development and pass game structure.

Sheridan emphasizes building confidence by running the same concepts from different looks. 

Video: 2x2 Switch Verticals

Take Switch Verticals. The routes don’t change—it’s still four verticals—but by using stacks, bunches, twists, and motion, the picture constantly shifts for the defense. Safeties and linebackers are forced to hesitate, yet for the quarterback, the read and footwork remain consistent.

That’s the teaching point: keep the concept simple for your quarterback, but complex for the defense. Sheridan’s cut-ups show how the same play, dressed differently, becomes a reliable answer in critical moments—third downs, two-minute drills, and shots downfield. 

The payoff is clear—quarterbacks stop thinking and start attacking, delivering cleaner mechanics and more big plays under pressure.

Alabama 2025 Outlook

The Tide boasts one of the best offensive lines in the nation and a deep stable of receivers, giving Simpson the support he needs to grow. 

Defensively, improvement against the run and finding a consistent pass rush will determine how high this team can climb. If Alabama shores up those areas, they have the talent and structure to return to the top of the SEC.

—Coach Grabowski and the CoachesClinic Team

Other Clinics from the Alabama Staff:

Leadership Development - Maurice Linguist

Building a Championship Foundation For Sustained Success - Maurice Linguist

Ethics - Maurice Linguist

AFCA Convention Nashville 2017 - Maurice Linguist