Alabama backup QB Cooper Bateman plans to transfer

Cooper Bateman has thrown for 410 yards and two touchdowns during his time at Alabama. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama could be without its backup quarterback for the College Football Playoff.

According to a report from Al.com, Cooper Bateman, the Crimson Tide’s No. 2 quarterback, was granted his release from the program last week and will transfer. On top of that, the report says it is “unclear” if Bateman will remain with the team through the postseason.

That decision, Al.com is reporting, comes down to “whenever the school he chooses to transfer to needs him on campus.”

Bateman, a redshirt junior, was considered to be a favorite to land the team’s starting role entering preseason camp, but ended up falling behind both Jalen Hurts and Blake Barnett on the depth chart. Barnett, a redshirt freshman, started the opener against USC, but Hurts, a true freshman outplayed him in that game and has started ever since. Barnett then opted to transfer in September, moving Bateman up to the No. 2 role.

Bateman is the team’s holder, but has seen limited snaps at quarterback throughout the year, mainly in garbage time with his team way ahead in games. Overall, he’s played in 13 games and completed 12-of-14 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown.

If Bateman does indeed leave before the Tide’s assumed semifinal matchup, the team would be down to just two scholarship quarterbacks: Hurts and sophomore David Cornwell, who has never appeared in a game.

Alabama improved to 13-0 Saturday with a convincing 54-16 SEC title game win over Florida. The Tide should stay at No. 1 when the College Football Playoff rankings are unveiled.