Pete Thamel: Alabama is a 'logical landing spot' for transferring Notre Dame QB Tyler Buchner

Tyler Buchner just became a fascinating name to keep up with in the transfer portal after the Notre Dame QB announced his intentions to explore his options while also leaving the door open to return to South Bend. However, based on Pete Thamel’s reporting, he named a landing spot that would put a major spotlight on the junior.

In Thamel’s report on Buchner entering the portal, he named Alabama as a potential landing spot. Considering his desire to be a starter, his connection with new Crimson Tide OC Tommy Rees, and the concerns around ‘Bama’s quarterback position, he thinks it only makes sense to believe that it could happen.

“One logical landing spot for Buchner would be Alabama,” Thamel wrote. “Former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees left the Irish for the Crimson Tide this offseason.”

“It became increasingly clear in Alabama’s spring game on Saturday that the program lacks a clear-cut starter. Nick Saban was lukewarm in his endorsement of any Crimson Tide quarterback after the spring game. The coach left the door open in his postgame comments about the Crimson Tide looking at the transfer portal as a possible solution at the position,” continued Thamel. “Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson, the two Alabama players vying to replace Bryce Young as starting quarterback, struggled during the spring game. (They threw) a combined three interceptions while completing fewer than half of their passes.”

Additionally, Buchner held an offer from Saban and Alabama coming out of high school in the 2021 class. He was a Top-100 recruit and Top-15 QB back then according to On3’s Industry Ranking.

However, the Tide will have to wait and see if Buchner comes to them. In an additional note from Thamel, he pointed out that Buchner’s portal entry came with a ‘do not contact’ tag. That means schools will have to stand by for communication from Buchner as, per Thamel’s source, he wishes ‘to be selective and targeted in his search’.

While with the Fighting Irish, Buchner threw for just under 950 yards with six touchdowns and eight interceptions in 13 games. He opened this past season as Notre Dame’s starter but missed most of the campaign due to a shoulder injury. Even so, Sam Hartman’s arrival this offseason complicated his standing in their depth chart.

Now, with plenty of distress down in Tuscaloosa, they may very well have found a potential answer with Buchner’s decision to explore the portal.

More on Buchner’s decision to enter the transfer portal

 Tyler Buchner has put his name in the NCAA transfer portal. Buchner announced the news via social media Tuesday afternoon.

“I love Notre Dame,” Buchner wrote. “The people, and especially my teammates, are what makes this place special to me. I have decided to enter the transfer portal in order to explore my options, and decide what is best for my future. After discussions with Coach Freeman, remaining at Notre Dame is thankfully an option I’m continuing to consider. I am grateful to everyone for their support through this process.”

Buchner is a junior with three years of eligibility remaining. He redshirted this past season after suffering a shoulder injury. The injury required shoulder surgery after Notre Dame’s second game of the season.