Former Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner announced Thursday that he is transferring to Alabama.

In a statement released on Twitter, Buchner thanked Notre Dame and called playing at Alabama "the best decision for my future."

Buchner will have some level of familiarity with the Crimson Tide, as Tommy Rees will be his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach after serving in that same role at Notre Dame last season.

It was originally reported by ESPN's Pete Thamel on Tuesday that Buchner was entering the transfer portal for the spring period, although he was open to returning to Notre Dame if other opportunities didn't materialize.

Buchner, who is a junior with three years of eligibility remaining, appeared in three games for the Fighting Irish last season. Most notably, he started their Gator Bowl win over South Carolina, going 18-of-33 for 273 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions, plus 61 rushing yards and two scores on 12 attempts.

After a standout high school career in La Jolla, California, Buchner arrived at Notre Dame in 2021 as a 4-star recruit and the No. 71 overall player and No. 11 quarterback in his class, per 247Sports.

Drew Pyne won the starting job in 2022 but after Buchner played well to end the season and Pyne transferred to Arizona State, there was some thought that Buchner could become Notre Dame's starter in 2023.

Instead, the Fighting Irish landed an accomplished senior quarterback in Sam Hartman in a transfer from Wake Forest.

During his time with the Demon Deacons, Hartman threw for 12,967 yards and 110 touchdowns with 41 interceptions.

Both Hartman and Buchner played in Notre Dame's Blue-Gold spring game last weekend, and Hartman was by far the better performer, throwing for 189 yards and accounting for three total touchdowns.

Buchner threw for just 44 yards and an interception on 8-of-18 passing.

When Buchner's decision to transfer was first reported, Alabama immediately stood out as a strong possibility since it recruited Buchner when he was in high school and due to his familiarity with Rees.

Also, quarterbacks Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson struggled in Alabama's spring game, as head coach Nick Saban searches for a replacement for presumptive No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Bryce Young.

Given the fact that Milroe and Simpson have yet to impress, Buchner could immediately be in the mix to win Bama's starting job in 2023.