Sam Hartman is entering Notre Dame University this fall as the big man on campus. Hartman entered the transfer portal from Wake Forest University this offseason and landed in South Bend, Indiana. He brings something to the Irish offense, something they haven’t had in over a decade. An elite pro-style QB.
What To Expect From Sam Hartman in 2023
Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman (10) – Quinn Harris/Getty Images
It’s been almost a decade since Notre Dame has had a true elite pro-style quarterback that garnished serious attention from the pros. Jimmy Clausen, in 2009 was the last signal caller for the Irish that the NFL looked at as a competent starter. Whether it was how he and the quarterback before him, Brady Quinn had underwhelming careers to make pro teams weary of drafting an Irish quarterback, or the quarterbacks that Notre Dame has produced since Clausen’s truly haven’t been good prospects is up for debate. That all changes this fall with Hartman.
The 6’1″ signal-caller has already played a staggering 48 games and has put up some eye-popping numbers during that time. His rise to stardom started in 2021. That season Hartman threw a ridiculous 508 passes (the most in the ACC and 5th most in the country) and completed 299 of them. He threw for 39 TDs which was good for 2nd in the ACC, but he also added 11 rushing touchdowns, totaling 50 total on the season, the most in the conference.
Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman (10) – Quinn Harris/Getty Images
In 2022, back under center for the Deamon Deacons, Hartman polished his play up a little. He threw 80 fewer passes, but his completion percentage went up by over 4%, rising to 63.1%. Along with being a more accurate passer came the drop in interceptions from 14 to 12. He still managed to rack up the yards and TDs that season, as he passed for over 3,700 yards and 38 TDs. His QB rating also jumped from 148.6 to 159.4.
So how will all of these stats translate to success at Notre Dame? Hartman is bringing five years of collegiate experience and strong leadership to the Irish offense. Sam will be 24 years old when the Irish’s season kicks off this fall. He helped pull the Deamon Deacons from a mediocre and, at times, average team to one of the better programs in the ACC, going 11-3 in 2021, their best record since 2006. Hartman did this with minimal offensive weaponry.
His best offensive skill player was probably A.T. Perry, who did set numerous school records but garnished little to no pro hype as he was taken in the 6th round by the New Orleans Saints in the 2023 draft. Long story short, Hartman didn’t get much help at Wake Forest, but he still managed to pull them into contention to win the ACC which is filled with other football powerhouses like Clemson and Florida State.
With the future Sunday stars for the Irish offensive weapons like Chris Tyree, and Audric Estime and an elite offensive line, Hartman should thrive under center for the Irish. With the successes of recent Notre Dame QBs like Jack Coan, Tyler Buchner, and Drew Pyne, it should be no surprise to see Hartman put up some staggering numbers and could help the Irish win some of the games they have previously lost due to the lack of elite quarterback play at the end of games. Essentially, they didn’t have “the guy” who could make any play needed to win the game. I truly expect that to change this year with Hartman holding the Irish’s 2023 season in his hands.
