DeBoer Names Ty Simpson, Deontae Lawson Team Captains For 2025

August 25, 2025 Michael Brauner Alabama, Alabama, Featured News
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 04: Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer during the college football game between the Washington Huskies and the USC Trojans on November 04, 2023, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA.(Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire)

The Alabama Crimson Tide is just a days away from putting toe to leather on a new season, and the program has just taken the next major step to mark the fact that it’s officially a new year in Tuscaloosa.

As first reported by the University’s NIL collective Yea Alabama, the new team captains for the year have been named by Kalen DeBoer, and while they may not be particularly surprising, they are certainly noteworthy.

New starting quarterback Ty Simpson joins his center Parker Brailsford as the offensive captains, while Mobile native and veteran linebacker Deontae Lawson heads up the defense along with star defensive lineman Tim Keenan.

Simpson has been with the program since the 2022 season where he served as the third string to Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe before failing to win the battle against Milroe in 2023 and serving as his backup for the last two years. Him being named a captain — something which is often largely decided by the team — is a huge indicator that he has won the locker room over as he prepares to make his first career start on the road against Florida State.

Brailsford is among the best centers in college football after coming over with DeBoer from Washington and arrived to Tuscaloosa for another huge year. Set to anchor an offensive line which hopes to take a huge step as a unit, he’s among the most important players on the entire team.

Lawson returns for his fifth year in the program after an injury late last season cost him his stock in the NFL Draft, hoping to have a healthy and productive year as well as finishing off his Crimson career the right way with a title. The Mobile Christian legend was a captain in 2024 after being one of DeBoer’s most outspoken supporters in the transition from Nick Saban and figures to be a major piece of the defense again.

Keenan enters his fifth year in Tuscaloosa as well, though he redshirted in 2021 and did not see much time in 2022. The last two years though he has worked his way into a starting role with a major breakout season coming last year. Another NFL hopeful who wants to put the finishing touches on his time at Alabama, Keenan is a no-brainer to serve as captains.