Not surprisingly, the rise of Jalen Hurts has led to some turnover in Alabama’s quarterback room.
Citing unnamed sources, al.com is reporting that Blake Barnett has left the Tide football program and is expected to transfer. Thus far, the school has declined to address Barnett’s status with the team moving forward.
Barnett started the season opener against USC but lasted all of two series before being replaced by the true freshman Hurts. In his three starts since, all wins for the top-ranked Tide, Hurts has completed nearly 64 percent of his passes for 609 yards and three touchdowns. Most importantly, he hasn’t throw an interception, although he did toss one in relief of Barnett.
A five-star 2015 recruit, Barnett was rated as the No. 2 pro-style quarterback in the country and the No. 21 player overall on 247sports.com’s composite board. The 6-5, 200-pounder took a redshirt as a true freshman.
Hurts also adds an extra dimension in the running game as he’s second on the team with 251 yards rushing and tied for the lead with three rushing touchdowns.
Should Barnett move on to another FBS program, he’d likely have to sit out the 2017 season. He’d then have two years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2018.
With Barnett presumably gone, the Tide would likely turn to Cooper Bateman, who served as Jake Coker‘s primary backup last season and started one game, as Hurts’ primary backup.