Greg McElroy looking forward to seeing Notre Dame offense with Sam Hartman

The Notre Dame offense with quarterback Sam Hartman could take the next step in 2023, according to ESPN’s Greg McElroy.

The former Alabama quarterback broke down what Hartman brought to the table after he transferred from Wake Forest in the offseason. With Hartman under center, Notre Dame’s offense could flourish under Marcus Freeman.

McElroy explained on Always College Football.

“Notre Dame finished last year 9-4,” McElroy said. “Okay, a lot of people were up in arms after the 0-3 start … Either way, it feels to me with how things finished … including the comeback victory against South Carolina and the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, it feels like there’s momentum that’s been created down the stretch … As far as the transfer portal is concerned you went out and you immediately got a difference maker in Sam Hartman. 

“Sam Hartman’s a dude. Now he’s not the biggest guy in the world and there are a couple concerns … But when he’s on, go back and watch his performance against Clemson, when he’s on, he is as accurate as they come in the game. He’s got great instincts.”

With Hartman, Notre Dame could get an offensive identity back. That’s something McElroy wanted to see.

Sam Hartman could elevate Notre Dame offense

“I wish I could just watch Notre Dame and be like alright, this is what I’m going to get,” McElroy said. “Either way, I think Tommy Rees does a good job and I think Sam Hartman, with a predictable veteran quarterback under center, they’re in great position to be successful moving forward. Here’s the problem, I don’t love the wide receivers. And I think it’s going to be very difficult to replace Michael Mayer …

“I am cautiously optimistic because it does seem and you guys tell me if you feel differently, it does seem as though Notre Dame is maybe more willing now than they have been in the past to welcome in grad transfer players … I’m anxious to see how it’s all going to work out but I trust Marcus Freeman.”

Hartman finished his Wake Forest career with 12,967 yards, 110 touchdowns, 41 interceptions and a 59.1% completion percentage.

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As a member of the Class of 2018, Hartman was a three-star prospect out of Mount Pleasant (S.C.) Oceanside Collegiate Academy, according to the On3 Consensus when he committed to Wake Forest. He was the No. 13 overall prospect in the state, the No. 54 quarterback in the class and the No. 766 overall prospect in the class.