JD PicKell: Tyler Buchner’s biggest limitations in the Alabama offense

The addition of Tyler Buchner from the transfer portal was meant to be a band-aid on the issue that was Alabama’s quarterback competition. Even so, On3’s JD PicKell sees more than one way where he might also end up compounding the problem.

First, during a recent episode of ‘The Hard Count’, PicKell pointed out how Buchner’s arm strength could be an issue. It’s not the end of the world that he doesn’t have a massive arm but, overall, it’s something he felt was worth noting when it comes to his status as a potential starter for the Crimson Tide.

“The one thing that you’re gonna hear people talk about with Tyler Buchner is the arm strength,” PicKell said. “Is he throwing it 80 yards? Probably not. (He) doesn’t have a cannon, he’s not gonna just uncork it and make the defense have to play way back to the fence. You’re not backing up the outfield with Tyler Buchner throwing the football.”

“That’s fine. That’s fine because Bryce Young was also a cat that had a lot of success at Alabama and he didn’t really have a rocket for an arm either. As long as Tyler Buchner is dialed into this offense and knows where to go with the football? And is technically sound? He’s going to be just fine. We don’t need you popping the top on the defense every other play. Now we need you to hit guys that are open down field when they’re open. We need you to give our guys a chance. And I think he does that well, has shown he can do that well, and needs to do that consistently,” said PicKell. “The arm strength concerns or reservations? Those are all fair. But I don’t think that’s really what you live or die on if you’re picking between Tyler Buchner and someone else.”

Secondly, though, PicKell directed to his main concern with Buchner which, to him, is turnovers. Buchner left Notre Dame with eight interceptions in 13 career games. Considering what ‘Bama’s offense is looking to be under Tommy Rees, PicKell says that is something that neither Nick Saban nor the fanbase is going to stand for.

“Here’s the one thing that’s going to drive Alabama fans crazy. And this could be the one reason why he doesn’t end up starting at quarterback,” PicKell said. “It’s not specific to Tyler Buchner. It’s across the board. But when I saw Tyler Buchner, especially in the bowl game, try to make plays happen? You see the effort, man. The effort is there. The kid’s trying to make a play, he’s escaping the rush. It’s the last game of the year, he’s probably throwing caution to the wind a little bit, he’s a good athlete. But there were a couple of times where he tries to make too much happen and that led to turnovers.”

“He had three interceptions in that bowl game,” said PicKell. “That can’t be what you do if you’re the starting quarterback at Alabama. Nick Saban is not going to allow that. Even if Tyler Buchner wins the job, if he’s out there just turning the ball over within the first month of their season? He will not finish the season. We all know that, Tyler Buchner knows that. I promise you they’re not going to have a quarterback set them back offensively this year.”

There are going to be pros and cons with every option in the Tide’s quarterback battle. With what PicKell points out about Buchner, this might mean it’s very likely going to remain an open competition until later in the fall.