Why did Tyler Buchner transfer to Alabama? How ex-Notre Dame QB fits in Crimson Tide depth chart

Alabama on Thursday landed one of the most high-profile names in the transfer portal this offseason — one that throws its entire quarterback battle for a loop heading into the 2023 season.

Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner, who entered the portal on Tuesday, announced he was transferring to play for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide ahead of the 2023 season.

With that, Alabama has a new player challenging for the spot atop the quarterback depth chart alongside Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson.

pic.twitter.com/pwELZbLXz7

— Tyler Buchner (@tylerbuchner) April 27, 2023

Depth certainly isn't an issue at Alabama, with Saban making each of his players earn their starter status, regardless of position. But Buchner's transfer to Alabama raises questions as to whether Saban and first-year offensive coordinator Tommy Rees — a new arrival after three years in that position at Notre Dame — thinks Milroe or Simpson can effectively lead and manage the offense.

BENDER: Breaking down Alabama QB depth chart for 2023

That certainly will be a talking point for the remainder of the offseason, leading up into fall practice and into the season-opener vs. Middle Tennessee on Sept. 9. Texas, with both Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning in tow, will travel to take on the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa the following week.

With that, The Sporting News look at Buchner's reasoning behind his transfer to Alabama, how he might fit in the Crimson Tide depth chart, his recruiting ranking, Notre Dame stats and more:

Why is Tyler Buchner transferring to Alabama?

Buchner in his post did not provide a specific reason for his transfer to Alabama, saying only he committed to play for Saban and that it was "the best decision for my future." That said, Buchner's transfer to play for the Crimson Tide is likely because he thinks he has a better chance to start at Alabama — or at least play meaningful snaps — than he does at Notre Dame.

The Fighting Irish have a clear starter at quarterback in Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman, who over the last two seasons completed 569 of 936 passes (60.7 percent) for 7,929 yards and 77 touchdowns to 26 interceptions for the Demon Deacons. Alabama is considerably less established at signal-caller, with only Milroe earning playing time prior to 2023: He filled in after Bryce Young exited the Arkansas game with a shoulder sprain, then got the start next week vs. Texas A&M.

Both Milroe and Simpson this spring struggled to show the command typically expected of a quarterback, particularly at Alabama. Their inability to claim the starting position opened the door for Buchner to step in and challenge for the top spot. Considering he is reuniting with former offensive coordinator Tommy Rees in Tuscaloosa, he also has a leg up in learning the playbook.

Whether Alabama brought Buchner on to challenge for the starting position or offset a transfer exit by one of Milroe or Simpson remains to be seen. Regardless, he should get a chance to challenge for Alabama's starting quarterback.

Alabama QB depth chart

Alabama does not have a clear-cut depth chart as of the end of the 2023 spring practices, though Simpson perhaps is a step further than Milroe, having arguably the better game in Saturday's A-Day scrimmage.

Milroe helped the Crimson team to a 30-21 over the White team, completing 19 of 37 passes (51.3 percent) for a game-high 245 yards. He had two touchdowns and two interceptions, rushing for an additional 35-yard touchdown. Replacing Young against the Razorbacks and Aggies last season, he combined to complete 16 of 28 passes (57.1 percent) for 176 yards and four touchdowns to one interception, adding 23 rushes for 172 yards (7.5 yards per carry) and another score.

Simpson completed 12 of 26 passes (46.1 percent) and an interception, though his receivers had several drops.

Dylan Lonergan, who is considered third in the race behind Milroe and Simpson (Saban does not list a depth chart in the spring), completed 8 of 14 passes for 79 yards and a score. As it stands now, Simpson and Milroe could take the top two spots in the depth chart simply for having had a full spring's worth of practice in Tuscaloosa. Whether the same could be said entering the fall remains to be seen.

Tyler Buchner Notre Dame stats

Buchner played 13 games at Notre Dame between 2021 and 2022, including just three in the latter season. In that span, he completed 67 of 118 passes (56.8 percent) for 949 yards and six touchdowns to eight interceptions. He also rushed 82 times for 459 yards (5.6 yards per carry) and seven more scores.

Buchner, it should be noted, suffered a Grade 5 AC joint sprain in his left (non-throwing) shoulder in Notre Dame's Game 2 loss vs. Marshall in 2022. He returned later in the season to lead a 45-38 Gator Bowl victory over South Carolina, completing 18 of 33 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns to three interceptions. He also ran 12 times for 61 yards and two more scores, accounting for five of the Fighting Irish's six touchdowns in the victory.

Buchner couldn't capitalize on his bowl game performance in Notre Dame's Blue-Gold Game this spring, completing 8 of 18 attempts for 44 yards and an interception, sealing his status as a backup to Hartman (who went 13 of 16 passing for 189 yards and two touchdowns).

BENDER: Breaking down Notre Dame QB depth chart for 2023

Tyler Buchner recruiting rank

Buchner was a four-star recruit in the 2021 class, ranking 71st overall and 11th among quarterbacks per 247Sports' Composite rankings.

Milroe, who was in the same class as Buchner, ranked behind the future Notre Dame signal-caller coming out of high school: He was the 82nd overall recruit, and 13th overall quarterback. Simpson, who graduated a year after Milroe and Buchner, is the highest-rated among the three, and is the only five-star of the group. He ranked 26th nationally in 2022 and was the third-rated signal-caller per 247.