Alabama has a fifth quarterback on its roster for the competition in fall camp.
Tyler Buchner, a transfer from Notre Dame, committed to the Crimson Tide from the NCAA transfer portal during the NFL Draft.
He has 13 games of experience as he became the first Chinese-American to start at quarterback for a Power 5 program in 2022 against Ohio State. Buchner started the first two games of last season before an injury forced him to miss action. As a California native, he returned for the Taxslayer Gator Bowl versus South Carolina. Buchner delivered a gutsy performance in returning 16 weeks after his injury, posting 274 passing yards and five touchdowns. He propelled Notre Dame to a 45-38 victory over the Gamecocks. The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder played ten games as a freshman in 2021, totaling six touchdowns and 634 yards.
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He is familiar with Tommy Rees’ offense, but Buchner also has marquee playmaking skills. He came from The Bishop’s School as a four-star dual-threat quarterback in 2021. His junior film was jaw-dropping. Buchner showcased a unique ability to pass and run well. He tallied 4,474 passing yards and 53 touchdown passes in 2019. His elusiveness as a runner allowed him to have 1,610 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns. Buchner earned several high school honors and competed in the Elite 11 Finals in 2020.
He did not have his senior year because of the COVID-19 global pandemic and it set him back in his development.
If he had his senior year, Buchner would have been more highly-touted.
He can scramble, throw on the run, extends plays with his athleticism, and shows accuracy when he steps into passes.
Buchner gets in trouble when he tries to throw off his back foot too much, but Alabama will correct that. He showed flashes of elite potential at Notre Dame, but Buchner makes the competition interesting if he can regain his form from his junior year of high school. He has to win over Nick Saban, a different fan base, a different locker room, and a different culture.
Buchner does not have much time to do it as he won’t arrive until the summer.
We will see how he performs in fall camp, but he does have talent.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
