🏈 Bye, Bateman

[bama alum]

Damn selfish of him to leave before the playoffs if that's his intention!

Alabama backup QB plans to transfer; unclear if he'll be with team for Playoff

Alabama backup QB plans to transfer; unclear if he'll be with team for Playoff

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Alabama quarterback Cooper Bateman (18) warms up before Alabama's football game with Southern Cal, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com
Vasha Hunt | vhunt@al.com


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By Matt Zenitz | mzenitz@al.com
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on December 04, 2016 at 8:50 AM, updated December 04, 2016 at 8:53 AM
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Alabama backup quarterback Cooper Bateman is transferring, and it's unclear if he'll be with the team for the College Football Playoffs, sources told AL.com.

Bateman got his release last week, according to sources.

The redshirt junior was the Tide's top quarterback throughout the spring and was widely considered the favorite to win the starting quarterback job entering fall camp. However, he ended up as Alabama's third-string quarterback, behind Jalen Hurts and Blake Barnett.

He has been the top backup since Barnett transferred in late September.

If Bateman leaves before the playoffs, that would leave the Tide with just two scholarship quarterbacks, Hurts and David Cornwell.

That decision for Bateman will come down to whenever the school he chooses to transfer to needs him on campus, according to a source.

Bateman has appeared in 13 games, primarily as the holder for field goals and extra points. He has completed 12 of his 14 pass attempts for 119 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.

 

[rocknthefreeworld]

Writing was on the wall that he would never see the field as starter. Not happy to see him go right now as he might be needed but with Tua coming next year it was kind of expected he might leave.

 

[rolltide66]

Welcome to significant practice reps David and Montana!!! Get some and make a case!!!

 

[planomateo]

I don't envy his position. Can't blame him for wanting to go somewhere and play.

Hopefully the timing works out to his/our favor. We need to get someone reps as the holder quickly.

 

[alabamajack]

I know kids want to play, but no way, no way he is good enough to even sniff the nfl. why not try to get another ring, get your degree that says you graduated from Alabama as well as played football for Nick and you will or should have plenty of great career opportunities

 

[TUSKtimes]

Now? What exactly is Bateman saying by not finishing the season? Does he fear being late for spring ball?

 

[TerryP]

Damn selfish of him to leave before the playoffs if that's his intention!

Consider the source. Consider the direct quotes. Consider who we're talking about.

 

[planomateo]

I know kids want to play, but no way, no way he is good enough to even sniff the nfl. why not try to get another ring, get your degree that says you graduated from Alabama as well as played football for Nick and you will or should have plenty of great career opportunities

He'll graduate and possibly get a ring depending on the school he chooses and whether he wants to practice with them during bowl preparation.

Utah classes start on 1/9. Not sure if he'd beat out Troy Williams.

#clutter

 

[sean]

Now? What exactly is Bateman saying by not finishing the season? Does he fear being late for spring ball?

to me, he's saying he's a quitter and doesn't like playing on a "team".

in my opinion he, like barnett, wants to be a singularity and the only one who matters.

if i were a coach somewhere and i needed a good/decent quarterback, i'd probably skip picking him up. who's to say he won't quit on you as well and want to go somewhere else because he doesn't like the staff, or the play-calling or the amount of reps he's getting.



i swear....these kids and their egos are ruining their own careers.

Jalen Hurts.....not even 20 years old and acts more like a veteran and a grownup than most others who ARE veterans and grownups.

 

[TerryP]

I know kids want to play, but no way, no way he is good enough to even sniff the nfl.

He's not thinking about the league. Early on this season he was seriously considering getting into coaching.

 

[#80]

Unbelievable if we win the NC and he leaves before the end of the playoffs he should not get a ring.

 

[sean]

Unbelievable if we win the NC and he leaves before the end of the playoffs he should not get a ring.

that's my thinking as well. if they don't play in the game, they shouldn't get a ring.

 

[planomateo]

Bateman deserves a bit more from fans in my opinion. Let this play out.

 

['65 Cobra]

Bateman deserves a bit more from fans in my opinion. Let this play out.

I agree. We don't know the timing yet. Also, I can't begrudge him for wanting to chase his dream.

As I recall Morris, in the past, Morris has flashed some talent. Let's coach him up, gentlemen!

 

[BamaFan334]

to me, he's saying he's a quitter and doesn't like playing on a "team".

in my opinion he, like barnett, wants to be a singularity and the only one who matters.

if i were a coach somewhere and i needed a good/decent quarterback, i'd probably skip picking him up. who's to say he won't quit on you as well and want to go somewhere else because he doesn't like the staff, or the play-calling or the amount of reps he's getting.



i swear....these kids and their egos are ruining their own careers.

Jalen Hurts.....not even 20 years old and acts more like a veteran and a grownup than most others who ARE veterans and grownups.

Well if he has to enroll in the Spring semester he may need to leave now. Sure, the timing sucks, but you gotta look after yourself more than anything. Sure, I absolutely love my school and the team, but I know in my personal life, Alabama won't be calling employers for me or hiring me out of favortism, so you gotta look after you when you make a change. He gave us, what, four years? He's fullfilled his duties in my eyes.

 

[JoshB]

I agree. We don't know the timing yet. Also, I can't begrudge him for wanting to chase his dream.

As I recall Morris, in the past, Morris has flashed some talent. Let's coach him up, gentlemen!

Morris who? Alec Morris? He left last year man.

 

[alabama mike]

The semester is over in a couple of weeks. If he graduates and transfers between semesters, he will be eligible to play immediately for a team next season. If he stays for the final game, assuming Bama wins in the semifinals, the 2nd semester will be started at many schools. Bottom line, I wish him well and thank him for his service that Alabama.

 

[Tidestalker]

I really hope he sticks around... With a running QB, the backup is always important! Plus he deserves another ring. RTR

 

[BAMAneck]

He sees the writing on the field , with Tua so committed and jalen playing well . I don't blame him but he should stay ... I smell a slight hint of sour grapes though .

 

[rammerjammer]

Bateman deserves a bit more from fans in my opinion. Let this play out.

Agreed. I don't know what his academic status is, but I hope this will be a situation much like Alec going to UNT last year. Stay through the play offs and then head to your new destination.

Either way, best of luck to Cooper and where ever he ends up.