After a career year with the Demon Deacons, Sam Hartman has decided to take his talents to South Bend
South Bend, IN– USA Today reported the signing as the ‘worst kept secret around those parts’ for weeks. Former Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman has made the move from Winston-Salem to South Bend, Indiana in order to become the starter at Notre Dame.
Hartman was a record setter at Wake Forest and a menace in the ACC, setting the conference’s record for all-time touchdown passes thrown and was the recipient of countless awards during his time with the Demon Deacons, including the likes of the Davey O’Brien Quarterback of the Week, PFF National Offensive Player of the Week, and was named the CFPA National Player of the Week. He also set the Wake Forest record for both single-season touchdowns and passing yards in 2021, throwing for 39 touchdowns and 4,228 yards.
The news of Hartman’s transfer came like two ships passing in the night, with not many outside his inner circle being aware of the massive change that was transpiring. The sixth-year quarterback only posted his commitment to Notre Dame on Twitter, not his entrance into the transfer portal. But, as a veteran quarterback with a decorated resume like Hartman’s, it’s understandable to want to be past all the rah-rah and get straight down to business.
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Hartman is all but expected to be the starter for the Irish, displacing projected starter sophomore Tyler Buchner. Buchner won the job in 2022, but hurt his shoulder against Notre Dame’s embarrassing loss to Marshall. The quarterback did return against South Carolina in the 2022 Gator Bowl, leading the Fighting Irish to a 45-38 win over the Gamecocks. It’ll be interesting to see if Buchner decides to go anywhere due to him being relegated behind Hartman, as Buchner has shown formidable improvement with his play in the bowl game throwing 3 touchdowns along with a worrisome 3 interceptions and 224 yards.
Notre Dame also had some quarterbacks in the barrel who would be impacted by the arrival of Hartman on campus, including new signee Kenny Minchey who put the pen to paper to Notre Dame last month.
As far as transfer portal goes, Hartman aims to be the school’s savior, which has been engulfed in multiple seasons of mediocrity and average seasons. For a team that has suffered losses by way of upset and heartbreak with both Marshall and USC this year, it’s been clear cut and imperative that the Irish find themselves a quarterback solution.
Hartman gets his slate and bejeweled career wiped clean as he steps foot upon Notre Dame’s campus. He brings bountiful experience to the table but none of that matters if you can’t win games in the Navy and Gold. Hartman led the Demon Deacons to a 6-1 record after falling to No. 5 ranked Clemson in a double overtime shootout, can he do the same at Notre Dame?
