Alabama Football: Barnett, Bateman Discuss Decision To Leave Team

The Alabama football program took a hit at quarterback since last season started, with Blake Barnett and Cooper Bateman both deciding to leave the Crimson Tide.
Alabama is still in good shape with Jalen Hurts leading the way, but their expected depth is no longer there.
Recently, both players spoke to the media and opened up about their decisions to leave Tuscaloos with each player giving a similar reason for his exit: communication.
According to Kyle Bonagura of ESPN, both players appeared to believe they would be “the guy” moving forward.
Ultimately, Jalen Hurts got his opportunity and made the most of it.


“According to [head coach Nick Saban], I was their guy,” Barnett said. “Once Jalen went in, I was expecting it. But then he went out on the next series, the next series and the next series. I don’t know if everything was communicated correctly.”
Barnett left midway through the 2016 season and landed at Arizona State.
Bateman, meanwhile, made the move to Utah.
“How things were communicated, there was a lack of communication,” Bateman said. “I knew I didn’t want to be involved with that anymore, but fortunately that was the first game of the season – 12, 13 more to go. I put my head down and battled through it. I knew after that first game that I didn’t really want to be a part of it anymore.”
“Long story short, I was just as surprised as everyone else,” he added. “It wasn’t really how it was told to me it was going to be.”
Hopefully both players will find better opportunities and success at their new homes.
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