Alabama Football: Yes or no on transfer QB Tyler Buchner?
By Ronald Evans
Tuesday for many Alabama football fans was filled with debate about former Notre Dame quarterback, Tyler Buchner visiting the Crimson Tide. Most media reports stated Buchner would indeed be in Tuscaloosa soon.
Fueling much of the conversation is that Buchner played for Crimson Tide Offensive Coordinator, Tommy Rees at Notre Dame. Buchner might have been the starter for the Irish going forward, but that role went to Wake Forest transfer, Sam Hartman.
Many Crimson Tide fans are not taking the news of a Buchner visit well. Bama Hammer asked in a Twitter poll; yes or no, should Alabama add Buchner? Almost 74% of the responses were ‘No’.
A common opinion on message boards is that Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson are better than Buchner. Though mentioned less frequently, some message board comments rate Dylan Lonergan as also better. A portion of Crimson Tide fans are convinced all of Alabama’s current quarterbacks are better than Buchner.
Fans don’t get a vote. Only two people do; Tommy Rees and Nick Saban. But fans have a reason to be concerned about the impact of potentially adding Buchner. The big question is how many and which ones of the current QBs would transfer if Buchner joins the Crimson Tide. The window on those decisions is short. The Portal entry window closes after Apr. 30.
Does Alabama Football need Tyler Buchner?
Buchner played in 13 games over two seasons for the Fighting Irish. His stats do not indicate potential greatness.
- Pass Completions (67-of-118) for 56.8%
- Six touchdown passes and eight interceptions
- 82 rushes for 459 yards
- Avg. rush was 5.6 yards, but only 3.4 yards in his three 2022 games
Given the touchdown to interception ratio, Buchner does not seem to fit Nick Saban’s mantra,
"we don’t ever want to turn it over."
Note: Tyler Buchner stats provided by Sports Reference.
Still, unless Tommy Rees is just allowing a courtesy visit as a favor to Buchner, there must be value to Buchner that many of us do not see. It is hard to believe more depth is needed at QB. Unless the Alabama football staff knows one of the Tide’s four guys is about to jump into the Portal.
Even so, Buchner has been a starter and he must be looking to start again. Not only will he not get a guarantee in coming to Tuscaloosa, but he also risks the chance of never seeing the field. There are better options for Buchner. Auburn would be one. Hugh Freeze desperately wants to add a quarterback.
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Alabama fans can wisely revert to trusting Nick Saban. Though, in this case, it is harder than normal.