Report: Alabama QB Blake Barnett to transfer

Alabama quarterback Blake Barnett took the first offensive snap of 2016 for Alabama. Now he’s reportedly transferring.

According to AL.com, Barnett will transfer away from the school. Alabama coach Nick Saban didn’t affirm the report during his press availability Wednesday evening.

After starting vs. USC, Barnett was replaced during the game by Jalen Hurts as the team’s primary quarterback. Hurts has started the three games since. Barnett has served as the No. 2 QB to Hurts in each of those three following games. His departure would likely make Cooper Bateman the backup to Hurts. Bateman started the Tide’s loss to Ole Miss in 2014. It was Alabama’s only loss of the season.

Barnett was a four-star quarterback in the class of 2015 and rated the No. 2 dual-threat QB in the country by Rivals. He redshirted in 2015 before competing with Hurts and Bateman for the starting job before the 2016 season.

Barnett is 11-of-19 passing this season for 219 yards and two touchdowns. Hurts is 64-of-102 passing for 727 yards and five scores while also being the team’s second-leading rusher with 45 carries for 251 yards.

According to Rivals, Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin was his primary recruiter. He had scholarship offers from, among others, Michigan, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Oregon and UCLA.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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