After the underwhelming spring performances by Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson, the word is out that Alabama will entertain bringing in a QB via the transfer portal. It would not shock me if a starter at another FBS school would enter the portal with the sole intention of going to Tuscaloosa, but that list is for another day. Today we focus on the guys who are in the portal now, and that list is not a list of “who’s who” by any means, but there are some guys out there who the Tide might roll the dice with and give a scholarship to. Here are some options from a pool that is even weaker with Chance Nolan committing to TCU.
Tyler Buchner, Notre Dame
This one is my odds-on favorite at the moment. Just look at the timeline: Alabama hires Tommy Rees as OC, spring goes poorly, word gets out they want a QB, and a day later, Rees’ former QB enters the portal. I’m not a huge coincidence guy, and this reinforces that. Even though Buchner lost the Irish’s spring quarterback battle to transfer Sam Hartman, it’s still doubtful that he would leave a spot where he’s the shoo-in to start in 2024 for a Notre Dame squad that should once again be excellent unless he knew something. Right now, there’s no one more likely to portal to Alabama.
Ben Bryant, Cincinnati
The well-traveled Bryant is back in the portal. Cincinnati to EMU, back to Cincy, and now in the portal again after losing out to Emory Jones and Evan Prater. Bryant was sought after as a recruit, and looking at the dearth of options in the portal now, he’s better than most. His timing of entering the portal also coincided with the Tide looking for a guy.
Cincinnati starting quarterback Ben Bryant has entered the Transfer Portal for the third time in his career.
He came to Cincinnati in 2018, transferred to Eastern Michigan for 2020, went back to UC in 2021, and is leaving again.
Where will Bryant end up?#Cincinnati #GoUC pic.twitter.com/lh1Mw9KyWv
— Mike Farrell College (@mfscollege) April 20, 2023
Grant Gunnell, North Texas
Gunnell played two seasons at Arizona, one at Memphis, and one at North Texas and somehow has two years of eligibility left. He was a highly regarded recruit who held an offer from Alabama at one point. At 6’6 and nearly 230 pounds, he looks the part of a guy who’ll play on Sundays. His production in college thus far, however, does not match that. If Alabama doesn’t get a desired target, it wouldn’t shock me if they roll the dice on him and let him battle Milroe and Simpson in Fall camp.
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Brady Allen, Purdue
Allen entered the portal in December only to withdraw, go through Spring ball, then decide to enter, presumably after losing the job to Hudson Card. Allen was another highly regarded recruit who has been rumored to Ole Miss, who apparently wants a 3rd portal QB on the roster in one offseason. Allen saw very limited action this past fall,l and unless Rees and Saban really see something, I doubt this happens, but he does look better than most guys in the portal now.
#Purdue QB Brady Allen is in the portal.https://t.co/qnmpDurG3p pic.twitter.com/xo11fl6wzz
— Tom Dienhart (@TomDienhart1) April 25, 2023
