Quarterbacks start, or they transfer. That is the reality of the college football world these days.
Quarterback Tyler Buchner was not going to start for the Irish this year, a fact that became visually obvious during Saturday’s Blue-Gold Game. Grad transfer Sam Hartman lit things up, Buchner did not play well.
Perhaps Buchner was already thinking about transferring.
Apparently based on his farewell message to ND, Buchner is still thinking. It would seem to be a longshot that he could change his mind, but he left the Notre Dame door open a crack in his twitter statement, With Head coach Marcus Freeman’s blessing, “Remaining at Notre Dame is thankfully an option I’m continuing to consider.”
Notre Dame’s QB room went from strong to still really good, but now only so long as Sam Hartman stays healthy. Buchner was being counted on to back up Hartman. Now the room is left with Sophomore Steve Angeli, who has shown promise but has little experience, and early entry, four star recruit Kenny Minchey, as back-ups.
High School senior CJ Carr, the #5 rated QB prospect nationally, is slated to arrive in south bend in time for the 2024 season.
Would Buchner follow his former coach Tommy Rees to Alabama? It is an intriguing possibility. Last week in the Crimson Tide Spring game, both QB prospects competing to take over for Bryce Young struggled, and head coach Nick Saban in comments postgame seemed open to bringing in a transfer.