Nick Saban is making an early-season switch at quarterback after Alabama was upset by Texas last Saturday.
Alabama is expected to start Tyler Buchner in place of Jalen Milroe when the Crimson Tide take on South Florida during Saturday’s Week 3 action, according to a report from 247Sports.
Milroe started Alabama’s first two games of the season, but after throwing two interceptions and barely completing half of his passes against the Longhorns, it was Buchner who reportedly got the bulk of the first-string snaps this week.
“We evaluate every position every week. If guys want security in their position, they need to play well,” Saban said this week. “Everybody on our team knows that. I think everybody has responded in a positive way to try to get better and to improve.
“We’ll constantly evaluate that position as we do every other position.”
Buchner transferred to Alabama in April after spending two seasons at Notre Dame.
The sophomore signal-caller opened the 2022 season as Notre Dame’s starting quarterback before suffering a shoulder injury during the team’s second game.
He returned for the Gator Bowl and carried the Fighting Irish to a 45-38 win over South Carolina, throwing for five touchdowns and rushing for two more.
Buchner completed 3 of 5 pass attempts for 27 yards and ran for a touchdown in garbage time during the Crimson Tide’s 56-7 opener win over Middle Tennessee in Week 1.
“Well he played really well in the last scrimmage and he’s done well in practice,” Saban said of Buchner on Monday, according to AL.com. “So, we feel really good about sort of how he’s continued to improve and develop and the confidence in what he’s doing. And (having) a good feeling around the teammates and receivers and all that type of thing.”
The change comes after Alabama, who entered the game as seven-point favorites, lost to No. 11 Texas 34-24 in Tuscaloosa.
The No. 10 ranked Crimson Tide will take on the Bulls as 33-point favorites in Tampa at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
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