It could be said that the Notre Dame Fighting Irish were a quarterback away from greatness during the 2022 season. With Sam Hartman transferring in to take charge of the offense, Notre Dame has entered the College Football Playoff discussion for next season.
Notre Dame Immediately Becomes Title Contender With Sam Hartman
Sam Hartman entered the transfer portal in a shock move on Dec. 27, 2022. While Notre Dame was the rumored landing spot for Hartman’s services immediately, it took until the first week of January for the former Wake Forest quarterback to make his decision public.
Simply messaging “onward” via his social media profiles, Hartman’s commitment and subsequent transfer immediately transforms the Notre Dame offense.
MORE: NCAA Transfer Portal Tracker
In five seasons with the Demon Deacons, Hartman threw for a school-record 12,967 passing yards and ACC-record 110 passing touchdowns. He finished his final season with 38 touchdowns while rushing for another 17 career scores. In total, Hartman scored 127 total touchdowns as he put on a masterclass of mastering an offense.
Now on the Irish, Hartman will have to master a different kind of offense. In doing so, he can rely upon his arm strength and decision-making as well as his ability to create from the pocket.
Hartman’s path to being the Irish’s starter is as clear as ever. With Drew Pyne in the transfer portal himself and Tyler Buchner struggling in his career starts, Hartman is the clear-cut leader of a talented roster. The Irish won six of their last seven games, including a terrific showing on offense against South Carolina in the Gator Bowl.
How quickly he’ll master the offense in South Bend is the only question remaining. Fortunately for Irish fans, Hartman and Notre Dame open next season against a Navy team (in Dublin, Ireland) that is void of many answers currently before returning home for a tune-up game against Tennessee State.
Hartman has all the tools to lead the Notre Dame team to new heights in 2023. It’s just a matter of time.
Hartman Quick Facts
- Class: Graduate
- Height: 6’1″
- Weight: 210
- Hometown: Charlotte, NC
- Career attempts: 1,597
- Career completions: 944
- Career pass yards: 12,967
- Career passing touchdowns: 110
- Career total yards: 13,825
- Career total TDs: 127
