Alabama Crimson Tide: Cooper Bateman
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- AJ McCarron is enjoying himself these days. With so many quarterbacks in camp this spring, he has been able to take a step back and relax. After 40 career games and three national championships, it's a nice change of pace. He's a full-fledged veteran now, and that comes with some perks.
"It helps getting a break," said Alabama's rising senior at quarterback. "It's fun to sit back and watch the younger guys compete, watch them grow. It's going to be a fun spring."
Judging from McCarron's first scrimmage -- he reportedly completed 15 of 28 passes for 291 yards, four touchdowns and one interception Saturday -- his comfort level couldn't be any higher.
But beyond him, the competition at quarterback has been tight. Only five practices remain before A-Day, and the question of who will back up McCarron in 2013 remains unanswered.
Blake Sims won the day at Alabama's first scrimmage this past weekend, coming in second to McCarron in passing yards. Sims, a rising junior, was 13-of-19 for 129 yards, a touchdown and an interception. But it's still far too early to call off the competition for the No. 2 spot at quarterback. Since UA doesn't provide full scrimmage statistics, it's impossible to know how the rest of the crop of young quarterbacks performed. Presumably Phillip Ely, Alec Morris, Cooper Bateman, Parker McLeod and Luke Del Rio took snaps under center. The fact that Sims finished second in passing Saturday simply might have been an indication of the game plan from coaches and not the performance on the field.
"What we’ve tried to do is get everybody an equal opportunity," Saban said after the scrimmage. "But we’ve kind of got to pick who is going to get the reps, trying to pick the four guys who are going to get the reps that particular day -- especially with the ones and the twos.
[+] Enlarge
John David Mercer/USA TODAY SportsBlake Sims took reps with the first team Saturday and did well, but Nick Saban says all the QBs will get the opportunity to do the same.
John David Mercer/USA TODAY SportsBlake Sims took reps with the first team Saturday and did well, but Nick Saban says all the QBs will get the opportunity to do the same.Judging from McCarron's first scrimmage -- he reportedly completed 15 of 28 passes for 291 yards, four touchdowns and one interception Saturday -- his comfort level couldn't be any higher.
But beyond him, the competition at quarterback has been tight. Only five practices remain before A-Day, and the question of who will back up McCarron in 2013 remains unanswered.
Blake Sims won the day at Alabama's first scrimmage this past weekend, coming in second to McCarron in passing yards. Sims, a rising junior, was 13-of-19 for 129 yards, a touchdown and an interception. But it's still far too early to call off the competition for the No. 2 spot at quarterback. Since UA doesn't provide full scrimmage statistics, it's impossible to know how the rest of the crop of young quarterbacks performed. Presumably Phillip Ely, Alec Morris, Cooper Bateman, Parker McLeod and Luke Del Rio took snaps under center. The fact that Sims finished second in passing Saturday simply might have been an indication of the game plan from coaches and not the performance on the field.
"What we’ve tried to do is get everybody an equal opportunity," Saban said after the scrimmage. "But we’ve kind of got to pick who is going to get the reps, trying to pick the four guys who are going to get the reps that particular day -- especially with the ones and the twos.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- When it comes to recruiting quarterbacks at the University of Alabama, it’s more like trying out for the school play.
The signup sheet is the Crimson Tide’s coaches scouring for prospects, tirelessly reviewing film and the, ultimately, choosing a handful of players to bring in for auditions.
So far, four signal callers -- David Cornwell (Norman, Okla./North), Tyler Harris (Blackshear, Ga./Pierce County), DeShone Kizer (Toledo, Ohio, Central Catholic) and Jacob Park (Goose Creek, S.C./Stratford) -- have made the cut. All four have earned scholarship offers from Alabama.
The first was Cornwell, an ESPN Watch List member. He initially discovered he was offered from head coach Nick Saban at the Tide’s first junior day in January. This week, he called back to confirm it.
“I kind of knew I had it, but I just wanted to confirm it,” Cornwell said. “That’s what Coach Saban did -- he confirmed it for me. It was just really cool to talk with him, a guy in such a high position and at the top of his profession.”
Harris picked up his offer three weeks later. It was his first.
The signup sheet is the Crimson Tide’s coaches scouring for prospects, tirelessly reviewing film and the, ultimately, choosing a handful of players to bring in for auditions.
So far, four signal callers -- David Cornwell (Norman, Okla./North), Tyler Harris (Blackshear, Ga./Pierce County), DeShone Kizer (Toledo, Ohio, Central Catholic) and Jacob Park (Goose Creek, S.C./Stratford) -- have made the cut. All four have earned scholarship offers from Alabama.
The first was Cornwell, an ESPN Watch List member. He initially discovered he was offered from head coach Nick Saban at the Tide’s first junior day in January. This week, he called back to confirm it.
“I kind of knew I had it, but I just wanted to confirm it,” Cornwell said. “That’s what Coach Saban did -- he confirmed it for me. It was just really cool to talk with him, a guy in such a high position and at the top of his profession.”
Harris picked up his offer three weeks later. It was his first.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
McCarron, Nussmeier key in QB growth
February, 21, 2013
Feb 21
6:00
AM ET
By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- AJ McCarron has turned into a bit of an elusive figure on the University of Alabama campus. He's everywhere to be seen and nowhere to be reached.
"I've seen him around," said early enrollee Parker McLeod, one of three freshman quarterbacks Alabama welcomed in January. "I haven't really gotten a chance to talk to him. He's been busy."
Winning back-to-back national championships and developing into one of college football's best quarterbacks will do that. Publicly dating a supermodel pushes McCarron well into the threshold of celebrity, past the occasional television spot into the realm of obscure media reports on his parking habits.
Cooper Bateman, the former No. 3-ranked passer in the 2013 class, said he hasn't had the opportunity to talk with McCarron much since arriving on campus. When he did, he got a taste of what it was like to be the quarterback at Alabama.
"AJ's on a whole other level," Bateman explained. "He's a celebrity around here.
"But I had the chance during the [championship celebration] parade, we were walking down University and everyone, I mean everyone, is yelling his name over everything. I just asked him if he ever gets used to it. And he said, 'If you have the opportunity you're going to love it. It's the best four or five years of his life.' "
Alabama head coach Nick Saban told Bateman what it would be like to be the quarterback of the Crimson Tide -- on the field.
"When Saban recruited me from the very start, he said we're looking for someone to come in here, learn the offense, know it inside and out so you can manage the game out there on the field," Bateman said. "When you get out there, you don't even need coaches, because you're so well prepared and knowing what you need to do out there."
Bateman, McLeod and preferred walk-on Luke Del Rio might have to wait a few more weeks to get an audience with McCarron, but the time is coming. Spring practice is right around the corner.
McLeod, a former three-star prospect from Georgia, said he's anxious to begin learning under the All-American and All-SEC quarterback.
"He's an outstanding quarterback, one of the best in the country," McLeod said of McCarron. "So I'm really looking forward to spring practice to pick his mind a little bit."
"I've seen him around," said early enrollee Parker McLeod, one of three freshman quarterbacks Alabama welcomed in January. "I haven't really gotten a chance to talk to him. He's been busy."
Winning back-to-back national championships and developing into one of college football's best quarterbacks will do that. Publicly dating a supermodel pushes McCarron well into the threshold of celebrity, past the occasional television spot into the realm of obscure media reports on his parking habits.
[+] Enlarge
Tom Hauck for ESPN.comCooper Bateman (above) is looking forward to learning from AJ McCarron.
Tom Hauck for ESPN.comCooper Bateman (above) is looking forward to learning from AJ McCarron."AJ's on a whole other level," Bateman explained. "He's a celebrity around here.
"But I had the chance during the [championship celebration] parade, we were walking down University and everyone, I mean everyone, is yelling his name over everything. I just asked him if he ever gets used to it. And he said, 'If you have the opportunity you're going to love it. It's the best four or five years of his life.' "
Alabama head coach Nick Saban told Bateman what it would be like to be the quarterback of the Crimson Tide -- on the field.
"When Saban recruited me from the very start, he said we're looking for someone to come in here, learn the offense, know it inside and out so you can manage the game out there on the field," Bateman said. "When you get out there, you don't even need coaches, because you're so well prepared and knowing what you need to do out there."
Bateman, McLeod and preferred walk-on Luke Del Rio might have to wait a few more weeks to get an audience with McCarron, but the time is coming. Spring practice is right around the corner.
McLeod, a former three-star prospect from Georgia, said he's anxious to begin learning under the All-American and All-SEC quarterback.
"He's an outstanding quarterback, one of the best in the country," McLeod said of McCarron. "So I'm really looking forward to spring practice to pick his mind a little bit."
The O-zone: Grading the 2013 class 
February, 13, 2013
Feb 13
8:30
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Last week, the University of Alabama inked the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class for the second year in a row. The class was made up of prospects from 13 different states and featured a combination of skill players and interior linemen.
This week’s O-zone takes a closer look at the class, breaking down its strengths and weaknesses, and singling out a few players who could stand out when they get on campus.
This week’s O-zone takes a closer look at the class, breaking down its strengths and weaknesses, and singling out a few players who could stand out when they get on campus.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Cooper Bateman adjusts to life at Bama
February, 8, 2013
Feb 8
1:16
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Cooper Bateman keeps getting asked the same question since he enrolled at the University of Alabama. What made a kid from Utah want to come down to the state of Alabama to play football?
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
A little behind on the recruiting trail? Worry not -- TideNation has you covered. To catch you up on where the Alabama recruiting class of 2013 stands, we'll take you through the high points, including how the coaching staff has addressed certain needs and set the team up for seasons to come.
Team needs: With three of five starting offensive linemen and two of three defensive lineman starters off to the NFL draft, Alabama was forced to focus on finding help in the trenches. Nick Saban and the rest of the UA coaching staff had success filling those needs with the 2013 class, particularly along the offensive line. The Crimson Tide secured the commitments of four offensive linemen, one coming by way of a junior college in New York. Leon Brown, who was ranked in the top 20 of all junior college prospects by ESPN, could find himself competing for the starting right tackle job vacated by D.J. Fluker.
Help is on the way: Outside of the lines, Alabama was once again in search of talented athletes to continue bringing potency to an offense that's been on a steady rise the past few years. Amari Cooper and T.J. Yeldon were difference makers in 2012 and there could be one or two who do the same this year. Derrick Henry, the No. 1 athlete in the country and Alabama's lone five-star commitment, could be the biggest wild card of the class. At 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds, he's an option at tailback, H-back and possibly linebacker. He'll begin at running back, where he set a national career rushing yards record at Yulee High in Florida.
Team needs: With three of five starting offensive linemen and two of three defensive lineman starters off to the NFL draft, Alabama was forced to focus on finding help in the trenches. Nick Saban and the rest of the UA coaching staff had success filling those needs with the 2013 class, particularly along the offensive line. The Crimson Tide secured the commitments of four offensive linemen, one coming by way of a junior college in New York. Leon Brown, who was ranked in the top 20 of all junior college prospects by ESPN, could find himself competing for the starting right tackle job vacated by D.J. Fluker.
Help is on the way: Outside of the lines, Alabama was once again in search of talented athletes to continue bringing potency to an offense that's been on a steady rise the past few years. Amari Cooper and T.J. Yeldon were difference makers in 2012 and there could be one or two who do the same this year. Derrick Henry, the No. 1 athlete in the country and Alabama's lone five-star commitment, could be the biggest wild card of the class. At 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds, he's an option at tailback, H-back and possibly linebacker. He'll begin at running back, where he set a national career rushing yards record at Yulee High in Florida.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Forecasting the Tide: Quarterback
January, 22, 2013
Jan 22
5:45
AM ET
By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
Editor’s note: Every Tuesday and Thursday between now and national signing day, TideNation will review each position and look at who figures to start, who could rise up the depth chart and who might be on the way. Today we’ll look at the quarterbacks.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- AJ McCarron could have said he'd had enough. The junior quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide could have looked back on a mesmerizing season in which he set school records, led the country in passing efficiency and won the national championship, and said he'd done all he could. He could have declared for the NFL draft and left nothing unfinished in Tuscaloosa. Back-to-back titles would leave little for fans to gripe about.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- AJ McCarron could have said he'd had enough. The junior quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide could have looked back on a mesmerizing season in which he set school records, led the country in passing efficiency and won the national championship, and said he'd done all he could. He could have declared for the NFL draft and left nothing unfinished in Tuscaloosa. Back-to-back titles would leave little for fans to gripe about.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Offseason storylines: Position battles
January, 18, 2013
Jan 18
7:00
AM ET
By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
Editor's note: The season is over and the Alabama Crimson Tide are national champions yet again. But what happens next? TideNation examines the most pressing storylines of the offseason as the Tide gear up for another title defense.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Spring practice is roughly two months away. The start of another Alabama title defense is right around the corner.
Nine early enrollees are already on campus. The offseason conditioning program is in full swing. Rest assured Scott Cochran, the Crimson Tide's raucous strength and conditioning coach, has put the 2012-13 championship to bed. Inside the football offices, the page has been turned. The time for competition is now.
With that in mind, let's break down the four most intriguing position battles set to unfold over the coming months.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Spring practice is roughly two months away. The start of another Alabama title defense is right around the corner.
Nine early enrollees are already on campus. The offseason conditioning program is in full swing. Rest assured Scott Cochran, the Crimson Tide's raucous strength and conditioning coach, has put the 2012-13 championship to bed. Inside the football offices, the page has been turned. The time for competition is now.
With that in mind, let's break down the four most intriguing position battles set to unfold over the coming months.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
LS Cole Mazza enjoys Tide official visit
January, 13, 2013
Jan 13
9:40
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The official visitor who made the longest trip this weekend was Alabama long snapper commitment Cole Mazza. He flew to UA from Bakersfield, Ca., but it was well worth the trip.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Offseason storylines: McCarron's backup?
January, 12, 2013
Jan 12
6:00
AM ET
By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
Editor's note: The season is over and the Alabama Crimson Tide are national champions yet again. But what happens next? TideNation examines the most pressing storylines of the offseason as the Tide gear up for another title defense.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It's the "What if?" no Alabama fan wants to consider: What if AJ McCarron went down with a serious injury? What if he was gone for two or three games? What if the injury were so egregious he had to be sidelined for an entire season? Who would be the starting quarterback then?
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It's the "What if?" no Alabama fan wants to consider: What if AJ McCarron went down with a serious injury? What if he was gone for two or three games? What if the injury were so egregious he had to be sidelined for an entire season? Who would be the starting quarterback then?
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Tide commits see a rise in new rankings
January, 10, 2013
Jan 10
5:52
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The Univeristy of Alabama was well-represented in the various all-star games last week, and if the final ESPN 150 and ESPN 300 rankings for the 2013 class were any indication, the Crimson Tide commitments must have performed well against the nation’s best.
The new rankings, which came out following last week’s all-star games, included nine Alabama commitments in the ESPN 150 and 13 future Tide players in the ESPN 300.
Yulee, Fla., athlete Derrick Henry, who enrolled at Alabama this week, is still the highest-ranked player in the Tide’s class. After setting the national career rushing yards record as a senior, Henry jumped to No. 9 in the latest rankings, and he also earned a fifth star. He is currently the only five-star in Alabama’s class.
The new rankings, which came out following last week’s all-star games, included nine Alabama commitments in the ESPN 150 and 13 future Tide players in the ESPN 300.
- Derrick Henry
- Athlete
- 2013
- Committed: Alabama
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
The University of Alabama was well represented at the Under Armour All-America Game this week with six commitments. The Crimson Tide contingent didn’t just show up during the practice sessions. They made an impression. ESPN national recruiting director Tom Luginbill was in Florida all week, and he breaks down each and every Alabama pledge.
QB Cooper Bateman (ESPN 150 -- No. 89)
Bateman has exhibited some leadership qualities this week that we have not seen from him before. Each day he has made huge strides and you can see very clearly that he has some intangibles that you cannot coach. The physical tools are present, but there is a presence about him within this group that is magnetic. He has been as advertised and even exceeded expectations in some areas.
QB Cooper Bateman (ESPN 150 -- No. 89)
Bateman has exhibited some leadership qualities this week that we have not seen from him before. Each day he has made huge strides and you can see very clearly that he has some intangibles that you cannot coach. The physical tools are present, but there is a presence about him within this group that is magnetic. He has been as advertised and even exceeded expectations in some areas.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Introducing the class: Cooper Bateman
January, 4, 2013
Jan 4
8:45
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
Editor's note: This is a series introducing Alabama's 2013 recruiting class that will run through signing day.
Alabama needed to make a big splash at quarterback in this class after missing out the last two years, and although the staff had to go all the way to Utah to do it, they got their man in Cooper Bateman, an ESPN 150 recruit and the nation’s No. 6 pocket passer. Bateman is one of three signal callers set to arrive on campus in January, but he’s the most heralded of the three. He will play in the Under Armour All-America Game on Friday night.
Q: What made you commit to Alabama?
Alabama needed to make a big splash at quarterback in this class after missing out the last two years, and although the staff had to go all the way to Utah to do it, they got their man in Cooper Bateman, an ESPN 150 recruit and the nation’s No. 6 pocket passer. Bateman is one of three signal callers set to arrive on campus in January, but he’s the most heralded of the three. He will play in the Under Armour All-America Game on Friday night.
Q: What made you commit to Alabama?
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -– Team Nitro and Team Highlight took to the fields at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports on Monday for Day 1 of practice for Friday’s Under Armour All-America Game (5 p.m. ET, ESPN). Two powerhouse programs in the Southeastern Conference look to battle it out for one of the standout running backs, and one of the top uncommitted offensive linemen is out with an injury.
Tide and Dawgs at top for RB Kamara
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Bateman glad for time with UA commits
December, 31, 2012
12/31/12
5:29
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Four-star quarterback Cooper Bateman (Salt Lake City/Cottonwood) is one of three quarterbacks on the Black team at the Under Armour All-America Game.
The 6-foot-3, 196-pound pocket passer, who has been committed to Alabama since May, said he is excited to be throwing to Alabama tight end commit O.J. Howard and new Alabama wide receiver commit Robert Foster.
"This is great," Bateman said. "I got guys I throw to back at home, but nothing like O.J. and Robert. I've seen Robert for a little while and the other guys have talked about him. But I'm glad we got him though, I'm excited to work with him."
The 6-foot-3, 196-pound pocket passer, who has been committed to Alabama since May, said he is excited to be throwing to Alabama tight end commit O.J. Howard and new Alabama wide receiver commit Robert Foster.
"This is great," Bateman said. "I got guys I throw to back at home, but nothing like O.J. and Robert. I've seen Robert for a little while and the other guys have talked about him. But I'm glad we got him though, I'm excited to work with him."
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ABOUT TIDE NATION
Greg Ostendorf
Greg Ostendorf joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama football and basketball recruiting at the Tuscaloosa News and Rivals.com. Ostendorf graduated from the University of Alabama and currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at gsostendorf.espn@gmail.com.
Alex Scarborough
Alex Scarborough joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama athletics and high school football for The Tuscaloosa News. He currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at alexscarborough.espn@gmail.com.