Sam Hartman contemplates end of his college career, playing in multiple schemes

After five seasons at Wake Forest, Sam Hartman opted for a change of scenery. He decided to enter the transfer portal as a graduate transfer and use his final year of eligibility at Notre Dame, meaning he was leaving the slow mesh offense for a pro-style scheme.

The system change was a big part of the conversation around Hartman’s decision to transfer. In a pro-style scheme, he was able to run quick play-action as Notre Dame leaned into the running game, and that would in turn open up the passing game. It was a different look than the slow mesh in which plays develop slower.

As Hartman got ready for the Senior Bowl, though, he made it clear both programs presented good situations prepared him for a potential NFL journey.

“I was really blessed with Wake,” Hartman told Andy Staples on Andy Staples On3. “I grew so much there and learned so much from just an unbelievable coaching staff, starting with Coach [Dave] Clawson. He taught me so much. So many lessons, so many things that I learned – from him as a man and as a coach. And then Coach [Warren Ruggiero] was there for me the whole time.

“I think that was something that probably gets overlooked in this whole process because people see it as, ‘Oh, he left to go to a better offense.’ It wasn’t to go to a better offense. It was just a different offense. It was more pro-style. But, I mean, all the success, the reason I got to Notre Dame, the reason I’m here is because of them and because of ‘Coach R’ and his stuff.”

Sam Hartman: Being the quarterback at Notre Dame ‘has a pretty heavy weight behind it’

In addition to a new-look scheme that could improve his NFL aspirations, Notre Dame also offered Sam Hartman the chance to perform on a big stage. The independent Fighting Irish play national games on NBC, and the fan base is passionate. In fact, while Hartman was in South Bend, his social media following skyrocketed and his On3 NIL Valuation currently sits at $1.2 million.

That also meant he not only had to execute on the field, but also balance his off-field ventures.

“It was surreal, to be honest,” Hartman said. “It changed my life, for sure. That fan base, that organization, the culture and the legacy of this entire place, it feels like you’re in a movie every time you step foot on campus. I learned how to handle a lot more off the field, I would say, and the pressures that come with being the Notre Dame quarterback.

“It’s something that’s special and something I’ll always cherish.”

Playing such a high-profile position at a historic program also brought pressure. It also wasn’t the easiest year for Notre Dame on offense, and Hartman’s 2,689 passing yards were his fewest since the COVID-impacted 2020 season.

Still, it was quite the opportunity for Hartman, who pointed out the pressure as a selling point.

“When you say ‘Notre Dame quarterback,’ that has a pretty heavy weight behind it,” Hartman said. “It was really cool. You get around campus and everybody knows who you are, what you’re doing. There’s some pressure to that, but I think that’s part of why I wanted to do it.

“I think if you asked me when I was 12, ‘Hey, you want to be the quarterback at Notre Dame?’ I’d be like, heck yeah. If you asked me when I’m 40 if I wanted to be at Notre Dame quarterback, I’d probably say, ‘Heck yeah.’ I don’t think there’s anybody in the world in their right mind that would say no to that kind of opportunity and the perks that come with it, and also the pressure. But that’s why you play the position.”