Earlier this offseason, East Carolina QB Gardner Minshew announced his plans to transfer from the school and explore graduate transfer options.

He was at one point committed to Alabama, but after giving it more thought, eventually ended up at Washington State, where he’ll compete for the starting job vacated by Luke Falk.

Minshew recently attended the Manning Passing Academy, and he was asked why he decided to pass up the opportunity to play at Alabama. He started off by saying how much he loved the Alabama coaching staff (via AL.com):

“It was so tough (passing up the Alabama opportunity),” Minshew said at the Manning Passing Academy. “I have so much respect for that staff. I do want to get into coaching eventually, and it’s like going to Harvard school for coaching. So yeah, that was tough to turn down. And I have so much respect for Coach Enos, who recruited me mostly, and Coach Saban. But I think I have a great opportunity at Washington State and I’m looking forward to that.”

However, he added that the opportunity to actually get playing time at Washington State swung his decision:

“Ultimately, I’m a player and I have a little bit of time left to play and I’m going to give it all I’ve got,” said Minshew. “My goal since I’ve been a kid is to play in the NFL. That’s what I’ve got to do. I’ve got to chase that dream. And the coaching, it will be there.”

Minshew started five games for ECU last season, but he appeared in 10 games, throwing for 2,140 yards and 16 touchdowns. He’ll be in the mix to land the Wazzu job this summer.