ASU Football: Blake Barnett Commits To ASU

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The former five-star recruit, and ex-Alabama starter, committed to Arizona State after visiting over the weekend.

Blake Barnett committed to ASU, but it wasn’t in the usual way. Barnett, who was widely regarded as one of the best transfer players on the market, committed to ASU on head coach Todd Graham’s birthday.

Graham happened to be at Barnett’s family home on his birthday, and what ensued was a birthday surprise that Graham won’t soon forget.

#Boom Great night & Happy Birthday @CoachGrahamASU #ForksUp #ASU pic.twitter.com/qTManfIRFm

— Lance Barnett (@LanceBarnett) December 6, 2016

Barnett was a five-star recruit in the class of 2015, and ultimately signed with Alabama after receiving offers from the University of Arizona, Cal, Colorado, Duke, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Oregon, UCLA and West Virginia. He was the No. 1 quarterback recruit from the class of 2015 and was the No. 14 recruit in the nation for the class of 2015.

In his three games with Alabama, Barnett had a quarterback rate of 189.5 and threw two touchdowns. After Barnett saw his on-field minutes dwindle, he announced his intent to transfer from Alabama on September, 28.

Barnett is a big quarterback, standing 6’5″ and weighing 211 pounds. He is a pro style quarterback with a big arm. He is a great pickup for ASU, and he creates a deeper quarterback pool for ASU. He puts the ASU coaching staff in a tough situation as he will be available to play after four games into the season.

Regardless of if Barnett will see the field next year or not, the quarterback situation at ASU is interesting. ASU will have six quarterbacks on the roster if Ryan Kelly signs with ASU. (He has verbally committed) With all the quarterbacks on the roster, it is realistic to think that at least one of those players will transfer.

At least for the time being, the ASU coaching staff can be pleased with gaining the commitment of one of the best transfer players in the country, as they look to continue improving their team ahead of the 2017 campaign.