Everything Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman said on ESPN SportsCenter
Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman sat down with Matt Barrie of ESPN’s SportsCenter on Thursday. This is everything the Fighting Irish signal-caller said.
On what he’s doing in New York City the next couple of days
“We got a little Mets game Friday night. Coach [Marcus] Freeman is going to go out there and toss the first pitch. Hope everyone in the country is tuning in for that seeing him throw a strike right down the middle.”
On Freeman’s first pitch
“I would just say don’t miss. Don’t throw it in the dirt. Miss high if you’re going to miss.”
On getting comfortable with being the Notre Dame quarterback
“It’s been surreal. Hearing your name side by side with one of the most historic programs in the country is very cool but also humbling. You know the expectations when it comes to being a Notre Dame football player and also being a Notre Dame quarterback. A lot of excitement, a lot of nerves, but the 11 guys, the 22 guys on the field make it happen. They’ve been great introducing me to the Notre Dame way. Obviously coach Freeman has shown me the standard of what it takes to get it done.”
On why he decided to transfer to Notre Dame from Wake Forest
“I love playing football. I know that going to the NFL is a tough task. There are small percentages. I do believe I can play in the NFL, but I knew I had an extra year of eligiblity. Why not try to take a shot at a a new place in a new scheme? And again, it’s Notre Dame. I feel like that kind of answers itself. The history, the legacy that’s been left for our team this year to try to fulfill were huge positives in my thinking to go back to school. And then meeting Coach Freeman was a huge part of it. What he is and who he is as a man, as a father and as a coach.
“I just wanted to give it another shot in college, year number six, and try to make it happen.”
On embracing the history of Notre Dame
“I had a class in the spring in the Golden Dome, which was very cool. Another class was in the stadium, so it felt pretty prestigious to be able to walk in there. I’ve only played in the stadium twice. We had a few scrimmages there. You get the feeling when you walk down the tunnel that there is something special about it. There is something special about putting on the gold lid for the first time. It’s something I’m extremely grateful for, this opportunity, and I’m looking to make the most of it.”
On if he’s ever been to Ireland, the site of Notre Dame’s season-opener vs. Navy on Aug. 26
“I have not. I had to get my passport renewed. It’s going to be an experience, for sure. We have a tough task on the road, both teams being on the road. Navy poses a big challenge for us one defense schematically with what they like to do. And it’s the first game for me and the first game for this team in the 2023 season. It’s going to be exciting. I know it’s sold out already. The Irish faithful are going to be there in numbers.”
On the blood clot that held him out of the 2022 season-opener
“It was very challenging. I go back to my family, the people closest to you, the team. I will always be forever grateful for Wake Forest and the things they’ve done for me. The coaching staff, the training staff, everyone who was involved in that process. I have to give a shoutout to mom. She was there from day one until now. She was there in the hospital when the different news and stories and speculations of what it could be or couldn’t have been.
“Like anything in life, keep showing up and keep pushing. It kind of comes back to you. I was grateful to continue playing and it also showed me how much I love the game and how much more I want to play. It alludes back to what I talked about in coming to Notre Dame. It was an opportunity to keep playing, and I couldn’t pass it up.”
On enjoying the rest of summer before fall camp starts
“How much I love football and how much I love the game, as corny as it is, I’ll probably just continue on the same path. Continue working hard with Coach [Matt] Balis in the weight room. Trying to get in as many throwing sessions and what not. I might go fish a little. Play a little golf. I’m not any good at golf. I’m a better fisherman than golfer. Those two things, but most of it is working out and throwing and getting around the guys as much as I can.”
