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Alabama QB Cooper Bateman Transferring From Crimson Tide
Alabama quarterback Cooper Bateman will reportedly transfer away from the Crimson Tide program. There are now two scholarship quarterbacks left on Nick Saban's team.
December 4, 2016
Alabama quarterback Cooper Bateman will reportedly transfer away from the Crimson Tide program.
For the second time this season, we’re seeing a former highly touted quarterback call a quits on the Crimson Tide.
Former 4-star recruit Cooper Bateman is planning on transferring from Alabama, and the redshirt junior may not continue with the Crimson Tide on its run through the College Football Playoff, according to AL.com.
Earlier this season we saw former 5-star quarterback Blake Barnett transfer away to a junior college after he was given his release from the program. Barnett has yet to choose his landing spot.
Bateman was given his release last week, though the news wasn’t released until after Alabama’s 54-16 win over Florida in the SEC title game on Saturday. Bateman did make an appearance in the game when it was already wrapped up, but he did not attempt a single pass.
Both Bateman and Barnett were beaten out for the starting job by true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts. Barnett actually started the season opener against USC but was replaced by Hurts, who came in and helped secure the victory.
This was the second consecutive season in which Bateman was on the losing end of a quarterback competition. Last year he battled into the season with graduate transfer Jake Coker. Bateman started in Alabama’s loss to Ole Miss – his first career start – and went 11-for-14 for 87 yards, throwing no touchdowns and one interception. Coker proceeded to start the rest of the season and guide the team to a national championship.
When he signed with the Crimson Tide as the No. 5 quarterback and No. 56 overall player in the 2013 recruiting class, Bateman had plenty of other programs vying for his commitment. Among his additional offers were the likes of Arizona, Auburn, Boise State, BYU, Cal, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, UCLA, Utah and Washington, as well as others.
His only official visit was spent in Tuscaloosa, though Bateman did unofficially visit Auburn, Florida and LSU before he committed to Saban’s staff in May of 2012.
The loss of Bateman before the CFP would leave the Tide with two quarterbacks on scholarship: Hurts and redshirt sophomore David Cornwell.
