.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Reports: QB Cooper Bateman To Transfer From Alabama Football
Cooper Bateman, the Crimson Tide’s No. 2 quarterback, was granted his release from the program last week and will transfer.
Alabama football could be without its backup quarterback for the College Football Playoff, leaving Jalen Hurts especially vulnerable.
According to a report from AL.com, Cooper Bateman, the Crimson Tide’s No. 2 quarterback, was granted his release from the program last week and will transfer. The report also says it is “unclear” if Bateman will remain with the team through the postseason.
Bateman’s decision reportedly comes down to “whenever the school he chooses to transfer to needs him on campus.”
ICYMI: Alabama grabs No. 1 seed, headed back to Atlanta
alabama crimson tide
Bama Hammer 1 dOdds on Alabama OC Lane Kiffin's Next Football Coaching Job
More headlines around FanSided:
1 d - Alabama vs Florida: Live stream, preview and prediction1 d - Crimson Tide vs Florida SECCG: Notes, TV/Radio/Livestream Info2d - Former Alabama Football Great Rolando McClain Appears Out Of Chances2d - Alabama's Jonathan Allen a Finalist for Hendricks Award2d - Alabama OC Lane Kiffin Interviewing With Houston After SECCGMore News at Bama Hammer
Bateman, a redshirt junior, was considered to be a favorite to land the team’s starting role entering preseason camp, but ended up falling behind both Jalen Hurts and Blake Barnett on the depth chart. Barnett, a redshirt freshman, started the opener against USC, but Hurts, a true freshman outplayed him in that game and has started ever since. Barnett then opted to transfer in September, moving Bateman up to the No. 2 role.
Bateman is the team’s holder, but has seen limited snaps at quarterback throughout the year, mainly in garbage time with his team way ahead in games. Overall, he’s played in 13 games and completed 12-of-14 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown.
If Bateman does indeed leave before the Tide’s semifinal matchup against Washington, the team would be down to just two scholarship quarterbacks: Hurts and sophomore David Cornwell, who has never appeared in a game.
Alabama improved to 13-0 on Saturday with a convincing 54-16 SEC title game win over Florida. The Tide should stay at No. 1 when the College Football Playoff rankings are unveiled.
More from Bama Hammer
This article originally appeared on 
