Notre Dame QB transfer Tyler Buchner visiting Alabama

Notre Dame transfer quarterback Tyler Buchner has been in Tuscaloosa Wednesday visiting Alabama, sources told On3’s Pete Nakos and Matt Zenitz.

Buchner’s offensive coordinator from the last two years at Notre Dame, Tommy Rees, is now in the same role for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama has been trying to find the right quarterback to take over for Bryce Young, who is expected to be one of the top picks in Thursday night’s NFL draft. Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson have been competing for the job but combined for three interceptions in Saturday’s A-Day Game.

Buchner announced his decision to leave the Fighting Irish and enter the transfer portal Tuesday. He’s left the option to return to Notre Dame available, too.

Buchner began the 2022 season as the starter before suffering a shoulder injury in Week 2 against Marshall. After missing the next 10 games, the California native returned to start Notre Dame’s Gator Bowl matchup against South Carolina and helped the Irish pull out a 45-38 win. Although he threw three interceptions, including two pick-sixes, Buchner accumulated 273 passing yards, 61 rushing yards and five total touchdowns (three passing, two rushing).

While Notre Dame added Wake Forest star QB Sam Hartman during the winter, a source told On3 that Buchner was having “a hell of a spring,” displaying “a lot” of improvement and providing a real challenge for Hartman in the competition for the Irish’ starting quarterback job until the separation that occurred during Notre Dame’s spring game on Saturday.

Hartman finished 13 of 16 for 189 yards with two passing touchdowns, one rushing score and no interceptions. Buchner, meanwhile, was 8 of 18 for 44 yards with no touchdowns and an interception.

Now, it’s a matter of whether Buchner will be playing at Alabama, maybe somewhere else like Auburn or returning to Notre Dame.

“I think the offense needs to fit him,” a coaching source told On3’s Matt Zenitz. “I think he has the ability. I think he’s really good at running the ball. He’s very athletic and very quick. He makes people miss in space. He can definitely hurt you with his legs. I think he has the arm strength and everything to make the throws. He’s just very inconsistent and sometimes he makes decisions that you’re just like, ‘What are you doing?’ And I don’t know if the system (at Notre Dame) necessarily fit him.

“I think he excels being able to use his legs, get in space and add that kind of element to the game. I think that’s what kind of helps him and makes him feel more comfortable because you could even see in the bowl game when he ran a Q counter down near the goal line and he takes off and scores. That’s his forte. I think that’s where he excels is being able to use his legs to beat defenders and create space and extend plays. I don’t think it’s best to ask him to sit back and sit in the pocket and be like a pro-style quarterback.”