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Notre Dame

Tyler Buchner discusses lifelong leadership role on and off the field

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater•09/01/22•

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notre dame tyler buchner
Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner. (Scott Taetsch | Getty Images)

Notre Dame sophomore quarterback Tyler Buchner is taking the reins this season in his second year in South Bend. After backing up Jack Coan and splitting some time with Drew Pyne, Buchner is the Fighting Irish’s starter in 2022. Playing as the starter is already a big change, but leading the program into this new era is another responsibility the staff will task Buchner with.

In a sitdown with Holly Rowe for ESPN, she asked Buchner where his overall sense of leadership came from. He said he pulls it from having played the position while growing up and learning it from a very young age.

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“I’d probably say growing up as a quarterback you kind of get placed into these leadership roles all throughout your life. It starts at recess, preschool to middle school, where you’re out there playing touch football with your buddies out in the park,” said Buchner. “As a quarterback, you sort of get placed into this role (where) you have to pick teams and do all these things. I think it’s something that starts off from an early age.”

Taking leadership this season was already going to be difficult enough for Buchner. Doing it now with the changing of head coaches, though, will only make it more difficult. It will take plenty of patience and work on his part throughout the season. However, Buchner says he’s up to the task because of his family. He credits them for giving him the additional tools he’ll need to lead his family of teammates.

“I also think it’s grounded in family and some of the beliefs we have as a family. It comes down to just building relationships and treating everyone on this team like they’re family. Trying to push guys to become better players and better people on and off the field,” said Buchner.

Buchner is going from throwing 46 passes to some very bright lights in week one. If Notre Dame is to stay the course as a program, someone will need to be their voice. Marcus Freeman has one of his own but, as a player and the QB, that responsibility falls on Buchner. How quickly and well he does it will determine a lot about how the Irish’s season will unfold.