Notre Dame’s 2021 recruiting class started off with a bang today when elite quarterback Tyler Buchner pledged to the Irish. The 6’2″, 200-pound Californian was reportedly one of the staff’s top targets regardless of position in this class, which makes this an especially excellent way to kick it off. He didn’t playt much in his sophomore year after suffering an ACL injury, but he showed enough as a freshman and in his post-injury rehab to still be considered a top prospect. It probably doesn’t hurt that his athletic director is none other than our own Shane Walton, either…

Buchner committed shortly after visiting Notre Dame, and even more shortly after visiting Stanford. Stanford hasn’t offered, and to some degree they lurk, but all signs point to Buchner being settled in his decision. Walton isn’t the only person in his circle who likes Notre Dame, either.

Recruiting Service Rankings

247Sports — 4 star (91 rating), #49 overall, #2 PRO, #2 in CA

Irish Sports Daily — 4 star (91 rating)

Cohort

In addition to Notre Dame, Tyler  Buchner holds offers from Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, San Diego State, TCU, UCLA, USC, Utah, and Wazzu. Oh, and also from Columbia, Penn, and Yale. So, yeah. He’s pretty good, in several ways.

Highlights

Naturally I’m grading on a curve here since this is freshman film, but… Man, I can’t find much to complain about. Buchner shows a quick release, above average arm strength and remarkably good footwork for his age, and plus athleticism. And damn, does he throw a pretty ball – whatever else he might do, he can really spin it and his ball placement is excellent. In support of the athleticism, check the play at 2:12 – he absolutely jukes a guy out of his jock strap and then outruns two guys who have an angle.

If the staff recruited him at receiver and I saw just his plays at that position, I would be stoked about this commitment. Tyler Buchner has all the tools to be an exceptional talent at the next level – his upside is through the roof.

Impact

By the time Tyler arrives on campus, Notre Dame will probably still have Phil Jurkovec, Brendon Clark, and Drew Pyne in place with multiple years of eligibility left. If – and, given his developmental stage, it’s a big if – he fulfills his potential, I could absolutely see him pushing for the QB2 role immediately and, if there’s no returning starter in 2022, possibly for the starting role that quickly. His potential is that, well, potent.

In terms of non-football impact, it’s also worth noting that Buchner is half Korean; with Justin Yoon moving on, it’s great to maintain Korean representation on the team. In fact, our very own 4pointshooter, who happens to be a Korean alum, is over the moon at this commitment, likening Buchner’s potential future to Linsanity 2.0. We can only hope…

Welcome to the Irish family, Tyler!