The quarterback position is perhaps unlike any other one within a football program.

There’s an ever-present necessity to play early. If a signal-caller within the same class is blocking this pathway, a transfer likely will follow.

The 2015 class is a perfect example of this scenario. Per the 247Sports composite rankings, four of the top six quarterbacks from the class have transferred to other schools. The latest came Wednesday — as Blake Barnett opted to leave Alabama.

Jarrett Stidham chose to depart from Baylor over the firing of Art Briles. Kyler Murray left Texas A&M for Oklahoma — in large part due to the uncertainty surrounding head coach Kevin Sumlin’s future with the A&M program (at the time). Town departed during fall practice of his freshman year — before the season even started. He’s currently buried within the Arkansas depth chart.

It’s a tricky position to not only play, but also to coach. The recruiting process truly necessitates taking at least one quarterback per cycle, in order to account for the inevitable turn-over at the position.