Haywood’s return signals a renewed emphasis on dominance up front as DeBoer continues to put his stamp on the program. Offensive line development was a cornerstone of Alabama’s championship runs under Saban, and securing a former five-star with multiple years of eligibility fits directly into that blueprint.

Ty Simpson is in for a significant pay bump for the 2026 football season. According to a source close to situation, the Alabama quarterback had a base salary of $400,000 with the Crimson Tide in 2025.