Nick Saban, Alabama Land Ex-Notre Dame QB Tyler Buchner From Transfer Portal

Former Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner has committed to Alabama, he announced on social media Thursday.

“My time at Notre Dame allowed me to grow and develop as a football player while building lifelong friendships that were forged under fire,” Buchner wrote. “I love my teammates and I will take those relationships with me for the rest of my life. They truly made my time at Notre Dame special. I also want to thank Coach Freeman, the coaching staff, support staff and entire Irish family for all they did to help me mature on and off the football field.

“Sometimes life brings opportunities that are beyond anything you can imagine and that is what has happened today. I have committed to play football for the University of Alabama and head coach Nick Saban. I know this is the best decision for my future and I can’t wait to get to Tuscaloosa and begin the next step of my football journey.”

Buchner’s commitment to Alabama comes just two days after he entered the transfer portal. His former offensive coordinator at Notre Dame, Tommy Rees, left the Fighting Irish program earlier this offseason to become Saban’s offensive coordinator. 

Buchner’s future in South Bend became murky after Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman committed to the school. Hartman is one of college football’s top returning quarterbacks entering next season.

Buchner’s fit at Alabama, where he is reunited with Rees as his OC, makes sense. Buchner played two seasons in South Bend, serving as the backup to Jack Coan in 2021 before taking over the reins as Notre Dame’s full-time starter last year as a sophomore. Buchner was injured in Notre Dame’s Week 2 loss to Marshall and didn’t play again until the bowl game. Since he only played in three games last season, he was able to maintain his redshirt with three years of eligibility remaining.

Over two seasons in South Bend, Buchner completed 56.8% of his passes for 949 yards and six touchdowns to eight interceptions. He’s also rushed for 459 yards and seven scores.

The former blue-chip recruit committed to Notre Dame as part of the 2021 signing class out of La Jolla, Calif. He chose Notre Dame over Alabama, who was very involved in his recruitment with former offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian serving as one of his primary recruiters.