After four years under head coach Nick Saban at Alabama, quarterback Cooper Bateman has joined forces with the Pac-12. He’s enrolled at the University of Utah, according to Kyle Goon of The Salt Lake Tribune.
Despite his status with the Utes’ football program being undetermined, he is expected to join the program in the spring as a walk-on. Prior to Alabama, Bateman was one of the nation’s top quarterback prospects in the 2013 recruiting cycle. A four-star prospect, he became a leader at Cottonwood High School (Murray, Utah).
In three years as a starter, Bateman recorded 7,654 passing yards and 68 touchdowns.
He was thought to be the Crimson Tide’s starter in 2016; however, the 6-foot-3 and 200-pounder finished third behind Blake Barnett and the eventual starter, true freshman Jalen Hurts.
Bateman saw action in 30 games throughout 2015 and 2016, compiling 400 yards passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions on 49 of 66 completions. He earned his first career start against Ole Miss in 2015: a game in which the Tide dropped 48-43 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Per Goon, Troy Williams’ return to Utah for his senior year and Bateman’s pro-style learnings at Alabama could lead the once elder signal caller for the Tide switching to a different position.
Update on Cooper Bateman: Utah sees him as a wide receiver in its program. Not expected to compete for QB job this fall.
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) January 27, 2017
Bateman was a part of three Southeastern Conference championships (2014-16) and a College Football Playoff national championship in 2015, during his tenure at Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
