Newsstand: What ESPN said Notre Dame needs to do at QB to return to the College Football Playoff
On Monday, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman revealed that the Irish will look to add a fourth scholarship quarterback this offseason. He also said picking one out of the transfer portal is an option. Two ESPN writers had a similar assessment of Notre Dame’s quarterback situation.
Senior writers Heather Dinich and Adam Rittenberg said the Irish need to upgrade their quarterbacks room in a Thursday column. They noted that it would be necessary if Notre Dame wants to return to the College Football Playoff.
“Of the programs that have made the CFP somewhat recently, Notre Dame and Clemson certainly are two that need boosts on offense to get back to the playoff …” Rittenberg said. “Notre Dame will be starting over after Sam Hartman, who started strong but ultimately didn’t give the Irish enough big-game magic to get the team over the top. …
“Depending on the development of (Steve) Angeli and others, who Notre Dame targets and ultimately brings in could determine how soon the team contends for the 12-team playoff.”
Dinich agreed with Rittenberg’s evaluation while also mentioning Penn State and Southern California as two schools that will need to plunge into the port for a signal-caller in 2024.
After this season, the Irish will have three scholarship quarterbacks (unless one decides to transfer): Angeli, freshman Kenny Minchey and 2024 class quarterback CJ Carr. Saline (Mich.) High’s Carr will sign with the Fighting Irish next month.
In Hartman’s one season with the Irish, he has led the program to a 7-3 record through the first 10 games. He has completed 162-258 (62.8%) of his passes for 2,272 yards, 18 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Hartman will face his former team, Wake Forest, on Saturday.
Top 10
- 1
Elko pokes at Kiffin
A&M coach jokes over kick times
- 2Trending
Dan Lanning
Oregon coach getting NFL buzz
- 3
Bryce Underwood
Michigan prepared to offer No. 1 recruit $10.5M over 4 years
- 4Hot
5-star flip
Ole Miss flips Alabama WR commit Caleb Cunningham
- 5
Second CFP Top 25
Newest CFP rankings are out
Notre Dame Posts of The Day
On Thursday, a director’s cut of the hit Notre Dame football-inspired movie “Rudy” surfaced on social media.
When the Irish face Wake Forest at home on Saturday, they’ll do so in front of a sold-out crowd.
Irish 2024 class three-star defensive line commit Sean Sevillano from Clearwater (Fla.) Academy International spotlighted Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden.
Notre Dame Quote of the Day
“We’re very grateful for having Sam a part of this team. We’re grateful he chose this program. And we’re going to miss him tremendously. We got a couple games left with him, and we look forward to having these next three.”
— Freeman on Hartman’s stint in South Bend.
Notre Dame Headlines of the Day
- Buy or sell: ND QB Sam Hartman will hit 300 passing yards vs. Wake Forest
- Four-star EDGE C.J. May reflects on ND commitment
- Over/under: Will Notre Dame offense bounce back vs. Wake Forest?
- Four things Marcus Freeman said before ND football vs. Wake Forest
- ND coach Marcus Freeman provides injury updates on two starting OL
- Where Marcus Freeman stands in search for new ND strength coach
- Live updates: ND coach Marcus Freeman pre-Wake Forest press conference
- Lucky Charms: Transfer portal target and notable ND visitors
- How to watch ND football game vs. Wake Forest
- Ten thoughts on ND football before Week 12 vs. Wake Forest
- Four-star CB Kevyn Humes highlights ND interest with narrowed recruitment nearing
- Newsstand: ESPN FPI gives Wake Forest minimal chance of upsetting ND
