Tyler Buchner is preparing for his final college football games. The Alabama quarterback isn’t out of eligibility, nor is he leaving early for the NFL.
The QB who transferred to UA from Notre Dame before the 2023 season is heading back to his old stomping grounds, to play lacrosse.
“I’m just trying to make the decision that’s best for my future,” Buchner told AL.com Saturday at the Rose Bowl’s media day event. “Whether people think it’s a good one or a bad one, I’m just trying to do what’s best for me and look out for my family, but first of all, most importantly, I want to contribute to this team.”
Buchner was a lacrosse recruit out of high school, before joining the Fighting Irish as a football player. He competed for the starting job at Alabama before Jalen Milroe ultimately took the spot, leaving him on the bench, with Ty Simpson taking the reps in relief of Milroe.
It led to a hard realization for Buchner.
“My football career hasn’t panned out in the exact way I would have imagined,” Buchner said. “It’s been tough. Faced a lot of adversity, a lot of ups and downs.”
Buchner had battled through injuries in his final season at Notre Dame, putting in an MVP effort in the Gator Bowl for the Irish. He followed offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to Tuscaloosa.
Before the season, Rees said he was optimistic for Buchner at Alabama.
“He provides a little bit of veteran presence in the room and adds competition,” Rees said. “I think he’s hit the ground running with the rest of the guys on the team, especially with the rest of the quarterbacks, and it’s been really a healthy transition.”
He got the chance to start Alabama’s third game of the year against South Florida after Milroe struggled in a loss to Texas. It didn’t go well.
Buchner got pulled after completing five of his 14 pass attempts for a mere 34 yards. It was his final on-field appearance.
“Just didn’t play well,” Buchner said. “It’s pretty simple. You have to play well to have success in this game. You don’t play well, life’s hard.”
After that, Buchner said he went through a dark period. Milroe took over the starting job, and Buchner fell down the depth chart.
He sat in disappointment and self-pity for a moment. Then went looking for a new way forward.
Buchner found a new passion for helping his teammates prepare as a member of the scout team.
“Maybe I’m not going to help them directly on the field,” he said. “But how supportive can I be off the field? How good of a teammate can I be? How much can I help on the scout team? That’s really helped me in my own personal battles, just helping guys around me has really helped me.”
Buchner eventually decided it was time to leave football. Even when the NCAA made a rule change that would have allowed him to transfer a second time in the same sport without sitting out, he never wavered in his commitment to play lacrosse back in South Bend.
His sister goes there, as does his girlfriend. It’s where he wants to finish out his time as a college athlete, earning his bachelor degree after another semester before “hopefully” pursuing his masters in finance.
But first, the College Football Playoff. Buchner has been simulating Michigan QB JJ McCarthy in practice, helping the Crimson Tide get ready for No. 1 Michigan in the Rose Bowl.
“I don’t think people give him enough credit for how athletic he is and how mobile he is,” Buchner said of McCarthy. “So it’s certainly been a challenge.”
If Alabama wins, it will play either Washington or Texas in the national title game. Buchner will be charged with simulating either Quinn Ewers or Michael Penix Jr. before what will be his last college football game.
Lacrosse will come soon enough. But for the time being, Buchner just wants to help win, even if its not on the field at the Rose Bowl, which kicks off at 4 p.m. CT Monday on ESPN.
“I want to do everything I can do to support the guys who are playing and help this team win this game and hopefully win a national championship,” Buchner said. “Because there’s nothing better in the world than winning with your teammates and having one common goal to go out and attack.”
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