JD PicKell: Alabama is looking for 'their Stetson Bennett'

Nick Saban wanted to bring a little competition to Alabama‘s quarterback room after the Crimson Tide’s spring slate. Tyler Buchner entered the transfer portal at the right moment, and now Buchner has a real shot at being QB1 in Tuscaloosa next season.

On3’s J.D. PicKell explained what exactly Buchner can bring to the Crimson Tide locker room, and what Alabama’s ultimate goal with him can be if he pans out the way the coaching staff is predicting.

“What I was told about this [quarterback] situation as a whole with bringing in Tyler Buchner was that Alabama — and this is how it was described to me — is looking for their Stetson Bennett,” PicKell said. “Alabama Crimson Tide fans, you probably just grimaced by hearing his name. That’s fine.

“But the sentiment is that you want bring in a guy that is going to play mistake-free football and keep this car on the road. … Whoever plays quarterback at Alabama, you’re driving a nice car and we’re asking you not to crash it. That’s your responsibility.”

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Buchner was once the heir apparent at quarterback for Notre Dame until injury derailed his 2022 season. Now, he reunites with the man who believed in him with the Fighting Irish — new Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. And with the Crimson Tide quarterback battle still up in the air, he will have an opportunity to win the starting job at another premier college football power.

His arrival in Tuscaloosa eases some of the panic surrounding the fanbase about the future of the QB position. Still, every person knows Alabama will be just fine regardless of who is under center.

“As much as people at Alabama want to pretend like they’re in a bad spot, they’re really not,” PicKell said. “It’s Alabama. Look at how they’ve recruited, look at the guys that they have on their roster. Maybe in terms of Alabama standards not up to par with what you’ve had previously, but there’s still a lot to work with here.”

Buchner will have an entire summer and fall camp to get comfortable with the team while he competes for the starting job against Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson. Though, we likely won’t be given a legitimate depth chart until Alabama kicks off its season against Middle Tennessee State on Sept. 2 inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.