Joel Klatt shares what Tyler Buchner transfer says about Alabama's quarterback situation

Joel Klatt was eager to discuss Tyler Buchner’s transfer to Alabama and what it meant for the Crimson Tide quarterback room.

At this point, Alabama does not have anything settled at the position, according to Klatt. Ty Simpson and Jalen Milroe battled it out in the spring, but no one came out on top.

Enter Buchner, who’s very familiar with offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.

“What does this tell us? Well, the first thing that this transfer communicates is that nobody took control of that job in the spring,” Klatt said on his podcast. “So when you’re looking at Ty Simpson and Jalen Milroe, who are competing in the spring for Alabama, there were clearly some concerns within the program about the direction or the play of those quarterbacks during spring. They would not have taken this transfer if they felt really good. Again, maybe if they just felt okay or decent or good. Would they take a transfer? Yeah, maybe. Now if they felt really good, would they take a transfer? Probably not. And the reason is, is because that transfer probably wouldn’t come. You see, because this is a two way street. 

“Tyler Buchner is not just sitting there with his bag knocking like on the porch like ‘Please let me in.’ He’s wanting to go to a place where there’s opportunity. He also has an inside agent, if you will, and his former offensive coordinator, Tommy Rees, it’s not just familiarity. It’s also a trust factor. You really think Tommy Rees and Tyler Buchner are not going to talk about his opportunity to potentially be the starting quarterback? Well, of course (they are).” 

Klatt laid it out as it being too easy for Buchner to choose Alabama as a transfer destination. The familiarity and opportunity to start were too great to pass up.

“So Buchner would not have been a transfer to Alabama if they were really happy with their quarterbacks coming out of spring,” Klatt said. “That’s what that tells us. And that’s not a knock. It’s just what it is. So what else does that tell us? Well, Alabama probably is not going to start in a position this year where they’re accustomed to starting where they are accustomed to starting well for the last 13 straight seasons …

“Now will they be in the top five? Probably. They’re going to be in my top five. But this does tell us that there is some concern within the program about who was going to be the starting quarterback because of that concern, at least enough was communicated to a guy who was looking for an opportunity to come and take that opportunity and take that chance at Alabama.”

Buchner is the new guy but started last season for the Fighting Irish. But after Notre Dame landed Sam Hartman from Wake Forest, his prospects didn’t look great for 2023.

Now at Alabama with every quarterback remaining, it’ll be quite the battle.

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“I love Notre Dame,” Buchner said via Twitter. “The people, and especially my teammates, are what makes this play 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 going to consider. I am truly thankful to everyone for their support during this process.”