Once again, Notre Dame brought in a transfer to start at quarterback. In fact, said quarterback was featured in part 1 of this series last year after being on the 2023 Fighting Irish schedule. I don’t think we’ll see that happen again in 2025, but you never know.

The first half of the 2024 schedule features a really tricky opener in Big 12 SEC country and then shifts into something a lot more manageable. Let’s take a look at the quarterback situation for each of these opponents as we approach summer.

BOLD denotes returning starter

Game #1 Texas A&M

Conner Weigman, Redshirt Sophomore
Jaylen Henderson, Redshirt Junior
Marcel Reed, Redshirt Freshman
Miles O’Neill, Freshman
Paxton Land, Freshman

The Aggies went to Conner Weigman–the former 5-star and no. 2 quarterback in the 2022 class behind Cade Klubnik–to start last year and he’s shown signs of brightness with 16 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in his career. However, a foot injury sat him down for the final 9 games in 2023. A&M didn’t name a starter coming out of spring practice as they implement new OC Collin Klein’s offense but it’ll likely be Weigman facing Notre Dame.

Max Johnson played the bulk of the remaining games in Weigman’s absence after transferring over from LSU but has since left for North Carolina this off-season.

Last off-season, Jaylen Henderson came to College Station from Fresno State and ended up seeing some time late in 2023 before being injured on the first snap of the Aggies’ bowl game. In his place, Marcel Reed threw for 361 yards in their loss to Oklahoma State.

Texas A&M signed low 4-star Miles O’Neill this past cycle and also have preferred walk-on Paxton Land from Texas high school powerhouse Westlake coming to campus.

Game #2 Northern Illinois

Ethan Hampton, Redshirt Junior
Jalen Macon, Redshirt Junior
Kenny Lueth, Junior
Nevan Cremascoli, Redshirt Sophomore
Luke Marble, Freshman

The Huskies are moving on from Rocky Lombardi who started the last 3 seasons (except after the beginning of 2022 following an injury) after transferring over from Michigan State and completing 7 seasons of college football. Their quarterback competition is still open going into the summer months.

Backup Ethan Hampton should have the leg up, although NIU brought in Arkansas-Pine Bluff transfer Jalen Macon and American River Community College transfer Kenny Lueth to add competition. Lower down the depth chart, Nevan Cremsacoli saw some time in 2022 but didn’t feature last year and may be out of the picture. The Huskies also signed low 3-star Luke Marble this cycle out of Georgia.

Game #3 Purdue

Hudson Card, 5th-Year Senior
Bennett Meredith, Redshirt Sophomore
Ryan Browne, Redshirt Freshman
Marcos Davila, Freshman

Remember when former Texas quarterback Hudson Card was on the radar for a transfer to Notre Dame? Now, he’s entering year 2 of starting at Purdue after a really shaky 2023 that saw Card finish 8th in the Big Ten in passer rating. However, he did finish last year on a high note with 526 yards and 6 touchdowns with no interceptions in wins over Minnesota and Indiana.

Hudson Card should start for Purdue.

Both (then) freshman Ryan Browne and Arizona State transfer Bennett Meredith saw action while Card missed the penultimate regular season game last year. However, the Boilermakers are high on incoming freshman Marcos Davila who was their 2nd highest rated player in the 2024 class and enrolled early this spring.

Game #4 Miami (OH)

Brett Gabbert, 6th-Year Senior
Henry Hesson, Redshirt Junior
Maddox Kopp, Redshirt Junior
Kaleb Martin, Freshman
Thomas Gotkowski, Freshman

The Redhawks welcome back starter Brett Gabbert and his career 8,375 total yards after he missed the final 5 games of 2023 following a broken leg that required surgery. Last year’s backup Aveon Smith made 9 starts in the absence of Gabbert but transferred in December to Alabama A&M.

Both Maddox Kopp (former transfer from Houston and Colorado) and Henry Hesson have seen limited snaps in the past and should battle for the backup duties. Miami signed a pair of freshman in the 2024 class with the lower-rated Thomas Gotkowski participating during spring practice.

Game #5 Louisville

Tyler Shough, 7th-Year Senior
Brady Allen, Redshirt Sophomore
Harrison Bailey, Redshirt Junior
Pierce Clarkson, Redshirt Freshman
Deuce Adams, Freshman

Louisville is moving on from the Jack Plummer era and will look to build off an impressive 10-4 season by bringing in Texas Tech transfer Tyler Shough. The former Oregon player was a 2018 recruit and has thrown for 4,625 yards and 36 touchdowns in his career. He’s the heavy favorite to start the 2024 season.

The depth is pretty solid for the Cardinals at quarterback, too. Brady Allen was a blue-chip recruit who transferred over from Purdue ahead of the 2023 season and Harrison Bailey, himself a former blue chip, also came over from UNLV by way of Tennessee last off-season. The program is also high on the athletic Pierce Clarkson from their 2023 class and signed Deuce Adams out of Austin, Texas this cycle.

Game #6 Stanford

Ashton Daniels, Junior
Justin Lamson, Redshirt Junior
Myles Jackson, Redshirt Freshman
Elijah Brown, Freshman

Stanford hasn’t named a starting quarterback but it’ll likely be Ashton Daniels who took the bulk of the reps last year. However, he struggled behind an ineffective offensive line and was second-to-last in passer rating among qualifying Pac-12 (RIP) quarterbacks last season.

Will Daniels make it to the ND game as starter?

The Cardinal lost 2021 recruit Ari Patu to North Alabama this off-season and former 2020 recruit Beau Nelson went pro in something other than sports. Former Syracuse transfer Justin Lamson saw some action in 2023 and also struggled.

Most on the Farm expect the 2 quarterbacks recruited directly by head coach Troy Taylor to make a move this season. More so with true freshman Elijah Brown who was the top recruit in Stanford’s 2024 class and comes to Palo Alto after going 42-2 in 3 seasons as starter at California powerhouse Mater Dei.