ESPN insider Pete Thamel expects Sam Hartman to choose Notre Dame by end of the week
Many have linked Notre Dame to Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman from the moment he entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, and Pete Thamel of ESPN is lending credence to the rumors.
According to Thamel on College GameDay, the former ACC star could be a member of the Fighting Irish by the end of the week.
“Sam Hartman, the best player in the portal at the quarterback position right now, spoke to some sources this morning and he’s still expected to pick Notre Dame. The timeline on that, I was told, is going to be the end of this week,” reported Thamel.
Moreover, Notre Dame chose to go in a different direction after Drew Pyne was their quarterback in 2022. Hartman would represent that, and many believe he would be an impressive upgrade at the position.
One person who believes so is David Pollack, who followed Thamel’s report with some praise for the former Wake Forest quarterback.
“I think Sam Hartman. I know we’ve seen him for a lot of years in college, a lot of experience. But the one thing that stands out to me is, I know he plays quarterback and he plays it well, but he’s a tough hombre. That dude takes shots. He delivers he football. He ain’t scared of a big moment,” stated Pollack. “I think this guy can come in and if you go to Notre Dame with Tommy Rees and the way he draws up offense? I think that could be an immediate home run and he could have a phenomenal year next year.
“He could be insane with what he brings to the table.”
Last season, Hartman passed for 3,701 yards and 38 touchdowns, bringing his career totals to 12,967 yards and 110 passing touchdowns. He’s one of the best signal callers in ACC history, and Notre Dame could take their offense to the next level with him at quarterback.
Evidently, the excitement is justified, as Pete Thamel is marking Sam Hartman to Notre Dame down.
Marcus Freeman says taking QB out of transfer portal must be ‘the right fit’
While Notre Dame has been linked to multiple high profile quarterback recruits, Marcus Freeman is going to take his time and make sure the Fighting Irish make the right decision.
“It’s something we do every day, we look at the portal, look at high school recruits. We’re always looking to enhance our roster. There is no timeline. It’s all about fit. It’s about making sure you find the right guy at any position, quarterback being one. We’re looking at all positions,” answered Freeman. “Again, it has to be the right fit. They have to not just enhance our roster athletically but they have to fit into the Notre Dame locker room. That’s something we’ll continue to investigate.
“Recruiting is an everyday thing. It’s an everyday thing that we have to do and we must do. I can’t give you an answer for when that will happen. We’re constantly looking and evaluating at all positions. Whenever we find the right guy.”
As he should, Marcus Freeman is doing his due diligence to find Notre Dame’s next quarterback. Time will tell if it’s Sam Hartman or someone else, but the Fighting Irish are taking their time to get it right.