UAB QB Cody Clements could be transfer option for Texas

The dissolution of the UAB football program has sent shockwaves through the entire college football world that could reach all the way to Austin.

That's because the Texas Longhorns could be in the market for a transfer quarterback and junior Cody Clements not only fits that bill, he has an interesting new follower:

So maybe #Longhorns fans aren't the only ones looking around for a new #UT QB? Clements is free to transfer anywhere. pic.twitter.com/lmcAPgogsQ

— Adam Winkler (@WinklerKEYE) December 4, 2014

Of course, the fact that Texas play caller Shawn Watson is now following Clements on Twitter isn't necessarily an indication of interest, but it is a sign that Clements is on the radar of Watson and the Longhorns staff.

After an abysmal performance by sophomore quarterback Tyrone Swoopes on Thanksgiving against TCU, both Watson and head coach Charlie Strong spoke in the post-game press conference about the need for competition at the position, with Strong particularly critical of Swoopes' demeanor during the game after struggling early.

With quarterback commit Zach Gentry expected to need some developmental time until contributing, an instant-impact player would have to come from the junior college ranks or in the form of a transfer. Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller has been floated as a possibility, but he's yet to officially make the decision to leave Columbus and would have a host of other suitors.

As will Clements, with major programs like UCLA and LSU either losing their quarterback or experiencing struggles with the ones that they have.

A member of the 2011 recruiting class out of La Habra in California, Clements has already taken a circuitous path in the college football world. As a two-star prospect with offers from Washington State and Sacramento State, he pledged to the Cougars before throwing 32 touchdowns and only one interception as a senior.

After spending two years sitting behind Jeff Tuell in Pullman, Clements transferred to Cerritos College back in California in an effort to parlay that experience into an opportunity at another school. He threw for almost 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns and drew interest from UAB after earning second-team All-Conference honors.

Upon arrival in Birmingham last spring, Clements quickly secured the starting job, in part because of his leadership ability.

Operating once again in the type of shotgun-based offense he had played in during his high school days and at Washington State, Clements turned in a solid season, completing 66.5 percent of his passes for 2,227 yards, 14 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He also ran for four touchdowns.

The best games of the season for Clements came in back-to-back weeks against Western Kentucky and North Texas -- he threw for 300 or more yards in both of those games, completed more than 78 percent of his passes in both games, and threw for a combined five touchdowns and one interception.

At Cerritos, he also gained experience in a more pro-style experience, so his travels have given him a diverse set of skills.

Picking up Clements wouldn't be nearly as sexy as landing Miller, but it would probably be more likely if that's the direction in which the Longhorns decide to move.