It’s unlikely redshirt sophomore Cooper Bateman will see much action at quarterback next season with Jacob Coker manning the position and five-star freshman Blake Barnett behind him. The Alabama coach staff is apparently looking to get Bateman on the field at a different position, however. According to Michael Casagrabde of AL.com, Bateman is catching passes in receiver drills:
Alabama Reserve quarterback Cooper Bateman was catching passes as a receiver in drills. He still wore the black jersey that quarterbacks use for non-contact players but the rising sophomore caught passes at the end of the line for receivers on the right side.
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Among the top quarterbacks in the 2013 signing class, Bateman has yet to see action as a passer at Alabama. He was the holder on the kicking team last year. As a receiver, Bateman appeared comfortable and made a few nice catches when balls were thrown off target.
Alabama is likely experimenting with Bateman at WR after Cam Sims tore his ACL last weekend.
Here’s a clip of Bateman catching passes during today’s spring practice via Tide 99.1:
[AL]