Alabama and former Plant quarterback Phillip Ely has decided to transfer to Toledo, according to Plant coach Robert Weiner and a message on Ely’s Twitter account.
“Ready to make a change in my life for the better,” Ely said. “I thank everyone who has supported me through this process. Go Rockets!”
Ely just completed his redshirt freshman season at Alabama, where he played in six games and completed 3-of-4 passes for 42 yards and a touchdown on his only attempted pass in a game against Mississippi State. He was firmly entrenched as the backup behind returning starter A.J. McCarron and was fighting for playing time with several other underclassmen.
Ely will enroll and join the team immediately. Per NCAA regulations, Ely will have to sit out the 2013 season, then will be eligible to play there for two seasons.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder was Alabama’s lone quarterback signee in the 2011 class and a highly touted recruit coming out of Plant. He twice led the Panthers to state titles, as a sophomore and junior, and returned to the state championship game as a senior.
He chose Alabama over LSU, Clemson, Mississippi, Wake Forest and Rutgers.