MOBILE, AL (WNSP) — Bama backup Blake Barnett bounced to Arizona State.
The former Crimson Tide quarterback announced his commitment to the Pac-12 school on Monday, after he left the team in September.
Barnett, a California native, started Alabama’s first game this year, a 52-6 beatdown over USC. After the first series, he was relegated to the backup spot for the next three games.
He went 11-for-19 with 219 yards and two touchdowns this season, though for the most part he was the holder for field goals.
His departure gave the No. 2 roster spot to Cooper Bateman. Bateman, a redshirt junior, is reportedly planning to transfer as well, according to an AL.com report this week.
It is unclear whether Bateman will be with the team for its Playoff game against Washington on New Years’ Eve.
Barnett was a five-star recruit out of Corona, California, and the No. 21 overall prospect in the 2015 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He only considered Pac-12 schools after leaving Alabama—California, Washington State and Oregon failed to make the cut.
According to AL.com, Barnett will have three years to play for the Sun Devils “as long as he completes an average of 12 hours… at his junior college (and) earns at least a 2.5 GPA.”
Alabama will take on Washington in the College Football Semifinals on New Years’ Eve. Kickoff from the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl will be at 2:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.
