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03:54 PM ET 01.26 | Alabama Crimson Tide backup quarterback Phillip Ely is reportedly looking to transfer from the program, despite the school winning back-to-back national championships. Ely is looking for an opportunity to start, since A.J. McCarron has a stranglehold on the starting position What doesn't make sense is that Ely wants a starting gig, but if he transfers, he will be forced to sit out a season. McCarron is gone after this year, so something isn't adding up. With a potential Ely transfer looming, there is already a favorite emerging in the sweepstakes to land his services - the South Florida Bulls, who are in his hometown of Tampa.

Phillip Ely, Ned Dishman/Getty Images

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January 26, 2013 07:09 PM ET

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Is this what passes for trouble in paradise in Tusky? If so then they are in good shape.

12-0 deal with it…

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January 27, 2013 10:34 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 07:09 PM ET 01.26 by 12-0 deal with it (BB9)

Is this what passes for trouble in paradise in Tusky? If so then they are in good shape.

Not if A.J. goes down with an injury.

BCSisnuts

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January 27, 2013 10:49 AM ET

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He wants to position himself so he can play in the NFL.

bluesuiter

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January 27, 2013 11:07 AM ET

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It must suck to be behind a guy like A.J. McCarron who stays his whole time eligible and wins NCs every year.

Ely sees he will probably not see the field. Plus, we have some fairly highly regarded QBs coming in this year. So, it is what it is. Timing is everything and the luck of the draw puts Ely in a bad spot.

That being said, the word I get is he is not going to transfer.

Joe Kidd #1

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January 27, 2013 11:55 AM ET

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The obvious issue is that he's not the backup at Bama. He's the backup to the backup.

Blake Simms (sophomore) has been getting the garbage time reps this past season. After A.J. graduates, there'd be another year with Blake before Ely would get to start.

OTOH, look at the other Bama QBs of the Saban era who have transferred out. Phillip Simms went to UVA to limited success (although the old starter has now opted to transfer out himself), and Star Jackson transferred to a startup Georgia State program -- and still ended up third string, and he's transferring again to another I-AA school.

Spaceman Spiff

Richmond , VA

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January 27, 2013 12:46 PM ET

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The writing is on the wall for Ely and he knows he will probably never start at Bama, so transfer to a Division 1-AA school and play this year, and if you are that good the NFl will find you.