Alabama QB Phillip Ely transferring to Toledo

Phillip Ely is transferring to Toledo. (Ned Dishman/Getty Images Sport)

Alabama backup quarterback Phillip Ely will transfer to Toledo, he announced Wednesday on Twitter.

Ely will have to sit out the upcoming season but will then have two years of eligibility left.

Al.com's Don Kausler reports that Toledo recruited Ely coming out of high school. But the quarterback chose Alabama and was the Crimson Tide's only signee at the position in 2011. He played in six games last season and attempted four passes.

STAPLES: Alabama's Nick Saban continues push for nine-game SEC schedule

But Kausler reports it was clear that Ely had fallen down the depth chart. Junior Blake Sims and redshirt freshman Alec Morris were fighting to back up senior A.J. McCarron.