Bateman had an offer from the Utes back when he was an Elite 11 prospect in the 2013 class, but went with the Crimson Tide. He won a championship in 2015, but was never able to wrangle the full-time starting job in Tuscaloosa — this year supplanted by freshman Jalen Hurts.
Bateman passed for 410 yards with two touchdowns and two picks, completing 74 percent of his throws during his Alabama career. Most of his appearances were as a holder on the field goal unit. Alabama media reported he had received a release to transfer in December as the Crimson Tide were preparing to make their run to the national championship game.