Alabama Adds Big Name Transfer Quarterback As Race For Starting Job Heats Up

The Alabama Crimson Tide has been blessed with a glut of quarterback talent from recent years.

From presumptive No. 1 NFL Draft pick Bryce Young, to Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts and more, head coach Nick Saban hasn’t had to look far for a star signal called.

That may well be different in 2023.

When Young went down injured in 2022, it was redshirt freshman Jalen Milroe who got the call. But Milroe struggled. He finished the season just 31-of-53 for 297 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

Heading into 2023, Milroe was expected to compete for the starting job with redshirt freshman and former five-star recruit Ty Simpson.

But neither QB shone during spring practices and both struggled in the Crimson Tide’s annual A-Day scrimmage.

Milroe completed just 51 percent of his passes with a pair of interceptions. While Simpson completed only 46 percent of his with one pick.

In fact, it was true freshman Dylan Lonergan who had the best showing, go 8-for-14 for 79 yards and a touchdown. Now it appears the Tide are looking elsewhere in hopes of finding a starter.

Alabama Lands Transfer QB Tyler Buchner From Notre Dame

Alabama picked up a commitment from Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner on Thursday. Buchner started three games for the Fighting Irish in 2022, going 46-of-83 for 651 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions.

Buchner, who was been linked to Tide previously, appeared to have lost the starting job in South Bend to Wake Forest transfer Sam Howell.

In transferring to Tuscaloosa, he reunited with offensive coordinated Tommy Rees. Reese recruited Buchner out of high school and coached him the past two seasons at Notre Dame.

“Sometimes life brings opportunities that are beyond anything you can imagine and that is what has happened today,” Buchner said in his commitment post. “I have committed to play football for you the University of Alabama and head coach Nick Saban. I know this is the best decision for my future, and I can’t wait to get to Tuscaloosa and begin the next step of my football journey.”

The Crimson Tide has a quarterback problem. But at least not it has one more potential solution.