College Football Recruiting 2013: 7 Reasons Cooper Bateman Committed to Alabama

On May 16, Cooper Bateman decided to end his recruitment and gave a verbal commitment to Alabama. After losing out on Max Browne, Bateman became a hot priority for the Crimson Tide, and they indeed got their man.

The only head-scratching question is, why would an elite QB prospect like Bateman commit to Alabama?

Sure 'Bama is 'Bama, but it's not a QB's dream to go there due to its run-first, conservative-style offense under Nick Saban.

Well, here are seven reasons Bateman thinks otherwise.

7. To Play in the SEC

As a competitor, you want to play the best and play on the big stage.

In college football, there's no bigger stage than Saturdays in the SEC.

And what's the SEC truly known for? Defense, right?

If you're Bateman, why not go play against the top defenses in the country every week and really compete against the best?

6. Doug Nussmeier

Nussmeier is a well-regarded offensive coordinator and QB coach around the country and comes to Tuscaloosa from Washington. He was instrumental in Bateman's recruitment, as the QB told Scout.com and BamaMag.com:

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I spent the most time with Coach Nussmeier and I can't say enough good things about him. I like the way he coaches the quarterbacks and how fired up he gets and how he carries himself. He lets the guys know when they mess up but also lets them know when they do the right thing and is just a real high energy and I like him a lot.

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It's safe to say Nussmeier is a prime reason Bateman committed to the Tide. 

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5. Talent Around Him

With the recruiting classes Alabama has had under Nick Saban in recent years, the Crimson Tide are loaded with talent.

In fact, Alabama has really worked hard to address the WR position and has upgraded its talent and depth there with the recent signings of Marvin Shinn, Cyrus Jones, Chris Black and Amari Cooper, plus commitments from Ardarius Stewart and athletic TE O.J. Howard.

There's a ton of talent at Alabama, and the offense should be more dynamic going forward.

As for the defense...

4. Defense

The defense at Alabama was the most talented in the country and basically won the Tide the BCS National Championship.

Sure, I know Courtney Upshaw, Mark Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick and Dont'a Hightower are gone. But with the recent talent that signed with the Tide, the defense isn't going to let up anytime soon.

Future defensive stars include HaSean Clinton-Dix, Trey DePriest, Landon Collins, Geno Smith, Xzavier Dickson, Reggie Ragland and Eddie Williams. 'Bama even has a commit from 5-star All-World LB Reuben Foster this year. 

3. The Chance to Be a Star

The QB position at Alabama isn't nearly as glamorous a position as the QB of USC is. You're just expected to take care of the ball, make some easy throws and let the running game and defense win the game.

A.J. McCarron showed in the BCS title game that the position can be more productive, as 'Bama opened things up and McCarron looked pretty good.

Bateman has the natural arm talent to be a star. He's not someone you ask to manage a game, as his arm strength can win you a game.

Bateman has a chance to play (and start) as a redshirt freshman and actually become a star as a QB for Alabama.

2. Nick Saban

Nussmeier certainly will be the guy with whom Bateman works and interacts the most, but Saban also had to have been a good reason for Bateman to be drawn to Alabama.

Just playing for a coach who has multiple National Championships, SEC titles and NFL experience—not to mention he's also a great recruiter and a proven winner—has to be calming for Bateman.

Love him or hate him, you have to respect what Saban has done.

1. To Win Championships

'Bama has won two BCS titles in three years.

That's pretty much enough said and speaks for itself.

The Tide are always in the hunt for an SEC title and a BCS game, and Bateman has a chance to be the QB of some title teams during his tenure in Tuscaloosa.

Edwin Weathersby has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena League. He spent a year evaluating prep prospects and writing specific recruiting and scouting content articles for Student Sports Football (now ESPN Rise-HS). A syndicated scout and writer, he's also contributed to WeAreSC.com, GatorBait.net and Diamonds in the Rough Inc., a College Football and NFL Draft magazine.