Alabama QB Tyler Buchner Makes Unexpected Choice in Transfer Portal, per Report

Alabama backup quarterback Tyler Buchner entered the NCAA transfer portal on Monday– but as a men’s lacrosse player, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Buchner, the backup to Crimson Tide starter Jalen Milroe and a former Notre Dame signal-caller, played lacrosse in high school and was considered a top recruit in the sport. Thamel reported that Buchner is expecting to explore his lacrosse options in spring 2024, but is not ruling out a return to football. 

The 21-year-old spent three years at The Bishop’s School in La Jolla, California before transferring to Helix High School in La Mesa, Calif. in his senior season. Ahead of the season, Buchner was in competition with Milroe and Ty Simpson to become the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback.

When Alabama head coach Nick Saban benched Milroe, he elected to start Buchner in the Crimson Tide’s 17–3 win against South Florida on Sept. 16. Buchner finished the game with 34 passing yards and 11 yards on the ground before he was replaced by Simpson in the contest.

Prior to joining Alabama, Buchner started three games at Notre Dame in 2022 before he suffered an injury. After the season, he transferred to join Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, who previously served as the Fighting Irish’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2020 to ’22.