Alabama Quarterback Opts For Transfer Portal

The No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide is getting set to play in the Rose Bowl against the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines in the College Football Playoffs. However, the college football calendar indicates Monday as the opening of college football's winter transfer portal window.

Alabama quarterback Tyler Buchner has opted to enter the transfer portal, according to Terry Foy of Inside Lacrosse. Buchner will decide to change sports entirely and decide to play lacrosse.

This is one of the coolest/wildest stories I've come across in my time @Inside_Lacrosse: @AlabamaFTBL QB Tyler Buchner Has Entered the NCAA Transfer Portal for Men’s Lacrosse.

More: https://t.co/k43IVQrCnJ pic.twitter.com/Rzptvhu24j
— Terry Foy (@TerenceFoy) December 4, 2023

He came to Tuscaloosa with fanfare due to his connection with first year offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and many speculated he would be the eventual starter for the 2023 season.

Buchner started one game for the Crimson Tide in 2023 against the South Florida Bulls. He completed five of 14 passes for 34 yards and ran for 11 yards in the Tide's 17-7 victory as he was replaced by Ty Simpson. He also appeared in relief in Alabama's season opening win over Middle Tennessee State and scored a rushing touchdown.

The transfer from Notre Dame started three games in South Bend and played in 13 total games for the Fighting Irish passing for 949 yards and six touchdowns with eight interceptions.

Buchner will be eligible immediately to play lacrosse but would have had to sit out a season had he stayed in football. According to Foy the signal caller was a talented midfielder and committed to the Michigan Wolverines as an eight grader before shifting his focus to the football season.

This leaves the Crimson Tide with Milroe, Simpson, Dylan Lonnergan and Eli Holstein as the current scholarship quarterbacks on the roster.