Sam Hartman shares what he learned from Notre Dame spring practices

Sam Hartman has had a big adjustment to make going from Wake Forest to Notre Dame. From a personal standpoint, it’s a new home and a lot of new people for Hartman to acquaint himself with. From a football perspective, it’s a new program, a different playbook, and a lot of changes to how he will be playing.

Still, from what Hartman said during the Fighting Irish’s spring game this weekend, it has been a seamless transition from Winston-Salem to South Bend. He says this spring has been big for him while learning all the little things within his new locker room.

“I think just understanding what the coaches want from me and what the guys are doing,” said Hartman. “I think you come in in the spring and you’re trying to learn people’s names. Learn what building you need to go to, what time you need to get to things. Where your locker is, what color loop you’re wearing. All that stuff. You take it for granted when you’re old in the program and now being a young guy.”

Hartman also took his opportunity while speaking on the Peacock broadcast to thank his new teammates. He says he has leaned on them a lot, especially the other quarterbacks, to get more comfortable with his surroundings.

“I think it’s relying on my teammates. That’s another thing. The guys help me so much just kind of, ‘Hey, you’re going there. You’re not in the right spot. Whatever’,” Hartman said. “And, also, really credit to Tyler (Buchner). Tyler helped me a lot. He could have easily brushed me off or kept me out of the loop. He’s been one of the main reasons I had success today and had success this spring.”

A graduate senior who has thrown for nearly 13,000 yards and 110 touchdowns in 48 career games isn’t often a player who would normally be behind the curve in this way. In the era of the transfer portal, though, it has become a very common scenario and it’s the one Hartman is currently living.

Still, those around Notre Dame have made life much easier for the 23-year-old quarterback and, in doing so, are giving him the comfort to get hit the ground running to get ready for next season.