Alabama Football: 4-Star QB Committ David Cornwell Out for Season After Surgery
The next time quarterback David Cornwell participates in live action on the football field, he'll be wearing an Alabama uniform. The 2014 Crimson Tide commit underwent season-ending knee surgery this month, as he confirmed Wednesday to Matt Scalici of AL.com.
Cornwell, a 6'5", 240-pound prospect at Norman North High School (Norman, Okla.), suffered an unspecified right-knee injury during a botched punt play on Oct. 4 against Yukon. He's undergone surgery since, effectively ending his senior season.
The 4-star recruit intends to enroll at Alabama early. Cornwell is expected to be on campus for the 2014 spring semester.
Although his recovery process remains in the extremely early stages, Cornwell told Scalici he expects to be healed when the Crimson Tide begin spring practice next year: "I will be ready and practicing in spring ball."
Two-time national champion quarterback AJ McCarron departs Tuscaloosa after this season, so an open competition at the position is likely to ensue. Cornwell is listed as the nation's No. 4 pro-style passer and No. 49 overall prospect in 247Sports' composite rankings.
He considered offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Missouri, Miami and Notre Dame before committing to the Crimson Tide in June. Cornwell threw for 2,742 yards and 27 touchdowns as a junior at Jones High School, according to FOX Sports Southwest, before transferring to Norman North this season.
Through five games this fall, he completed 114 passes for 1,445 yards, 12 touchdowns and two interceptions, per MaxPreps. Cornwell's abbreviated 127-yard performance against Yukon will be his last at the high school level.
He is the fourth-highest-rated member of Alabama's 2014 recruiting class, which currently features 21 commits and ranks No. 1 in the nation, per 247Sports.
