David Cornwell enrolled early at The University of Alabama in January as a four-star recruit. The 6-foot-5-inch, 240-pound signal caller was the No. 1 prospect in the state of Oklahoma and the No. 4 pro-style quarterback in the 2014 recruiting class, according to 247Sports.com.

But he has to start over at Alabama and learn an entirely new system and playbook.

Cornwell has to build a new reputation, as he went from being an Elite 11 quarterback to an unrecognizable freshman with no collegiate experience.

“My second day, I met with Amari Cooper,” Cornwell said. “He didn’t know who I was until we kind of started talking. Then it was like, ‘Oh, okay. Maybe I should talk with this guy.’”

Cornwell’s early enrollment places him in the thick of the competition to replace departing fifth-year senior quarterback AJ McCarron.

(See also “ESPN 150 quarterback commits to Alabama“)

But Cornwell is not the only quarterback who will join the Crimson Tide’s roster for the 2014 season. Florida State transfer Jacob Coker will also be a part of this year’s recruiting class.

Alabama coach Nick Saban addressed how important it was for him and his staff to add a player or two at this position of need.

“Quarterback, obviously, is a critical position in any program,” Saban said. “And we’re very excited about the two young men we have coming in to those positions.”

Even with the addition of Coker and the other quarterbacks returning from a season ago, Cornwell said he has his eyes set on impressing the coaches this offseason.

(See also “Alabama football live updates for 2014 National Signing Day“)

“I came here to compete,” Cornwell said. “[I’m] excited to go and compete with these guys, see what I’ve got. Each day, I’m going to get better, even if I don’t win the job. But I’m here to compete, get better, help this team however I can.”

But before Cornwell even thinks about starting on Saturdays in the fall, he will have to get his health back to 100 percent.

In his senior season at Norman North, Cornwell sustained a season-ending knee injury five games into the schedule. He attempted a punt, but it was blocked, and his right knee was injured in the scrum of bodies attempting to recover the loose football. He underwent surgery to repair his ACL in October.

Cornwell, however, said his knee is continuing to feel better with each passing day.

“Every day I’m progressing, doing better,” Cornwell said. “Feels really, really good right now. Look forward to spring ball. Been throwing, just getting back to my own self. Looking forward to compete.

“I couldn’t give you a percentage. I’m testing it every day to get back to where my other knee is. I don’t know a percentage right now, but it feels really good.”

His senior year may have been cut short, but Cornwell was playing at an elite level before his final year of high school. He threw for 2,742 yards and 27 touchdowns in his junior season and rushed for 755 yards and six scores.

Still, a player coming off a major knee injury is unsettling to fans. But Cornwell insisted his recovery is coming along smoothly, and he cannot wait to get onto the field.

“I think I’m very ahead of schedule, but obviously we’ll find out in the spring,” he said.

(See also “Alabama looks to sign top class“)