Five Wide Fullbacks returns as April is winding down and warmer temperatures are creeping towards South Bend. Today we will look at the new NCAA clock rules, transfer portal options, the most improved players of spring, positional battles to watch, and taking the temperature of Sam Hartman hype.
1) What are the top 3 positional battles to watch when August camp opens?
I tend to think Notre Dame is in a pretty good spot in terms of starters going into the summer. The bulk of the spots are pretty much known, and yes we’ll include quarterback in that group. The biggest battles to watch include:
Free Safety – Someone has to get the bulk of the snaps opposite Xavier Watts. Will it be DJ Brown? Ramon Henderson? Will the Irish rely on Thomas Harper more than expected? Or is it going to be someone new (see below).
Left Guard – I’ll add this spot with the thought that it’s the more important side of the line and it’ll determine things for right guard, as well. We thought Michael Carmody may be in the mix but he was seen playing tackle during the Blue-Gold Game. So it’ll come down to one of Billy Schrauth, Andrew Kristofic, or Rocco Spindler. The latter of that group–thought to be the long shot pick–actually looked pretty decent during the spring game.
Wide Receiver (all of them) – This is going to be a fascinating season to see how the receivers are used and who can produce the most. After Jayden Thomas (who should see the field the most by a lot) there could be a season-long battle for snaps. Will Deion Colzie and Tobias Merriweather come out strong and how much will Jaden Greathouse and the freshmen eat into that playing time?
2) Who wins the award as the Most Improved Player of the spring?
The easy answer is nose guard Jason Onye who came from out of nowhere this spring to a trusted (for now?) backup. There are some other players to discuss, too. Gi’Bran Payne could’ve packed things up and felt like he wasn’t much of a factor but looks like he could be a useful backup in 2023. I’ll throw Gabriel Rubio in there for continuing his development and looking like a solid backup. Not many people were talking about Nolan Ziegler and he’s potentially moved himself into the next starting Mike linebacker after JD Bertrand leaves. Lastly, if he’s really going to make a big leap then Xavier Watts could be a post-spring winner of this award, too.
3) Notre Dame will probably have space for at least 2 more scholarships if they want to add someone to the roster through the transfer portal. Where should the coaching staff target new talent?
There’s a lot of overlap here with the positions to watch for fall camp mentioned above. There’s been talk that taking a guard would be smart on Notre Dame’s part but I just don’t see them going that route post-spring at a place that really prides itself as being a top-notch program for offensive linemen. If they did, it would have to be an unquestioned excellent Power 5 level guard with plenty of size and experience.
Safety has really been the only position the coaching staff has brought up as a possibility. Of course, a starting-level safety would be nice but you could also argue even a decent backup for depth should be a priority. I’d also add a hybrid safety type (someone with maybe a little more size) would be important to bring in a blitzing role, as well.
I wouldn’t be shocked if a wide receiver was brought in, but again, it would likely be a depth piece and not someone who would make a big difference. Even though the receiving corps is trending up there are only 9 scholarship guys on the roster. Bringing in an experienced veteran who isn’t afraid to mentor the young receivers would be a good idea. That probably wasn’t a role Lorenzo Styles was imagining himself taking in 2023.
Prior to spring, adding someone on the defensive interior looked like a huge priority. Now it’s a little less pressing. If I could pick one position for an excellent transfer addition I might go Vyper. That position is riding on Jordan Botelho behind an incredible amount of inexperience. I’d also be open to a big difference maker at Big End, too. Really, all defensive linemen can apply!
4) With Sam Hartman’s performance during the Blue-Gold Game does it adjust your expectations for the type of season he can have and the Irish offense overall?
Immediately, yes.
Sure, it was just the spring game. But, it wasn’t one of those Oklahoma-type spring games where the quarterback has forever to throw and hits all these super wide open receivers against a half-jogging secondary. It felt a little more real and sustainable of a performance from Hartman who displayed a wide range of throws, some into tight windows with pressure in his face.
Let’s do this 15 times this season.
An offense on the slower side may average about 12 possessions per game. If you take Hartman’s numbers from the Blue-Gold Game and plug them into a full game he would’ve been:
39 of 48 for 567 yards and 6 touchdowns with 3 rushing touchdowns.
Obviously, Hartman isn’t going to have the best game in Notre Dame history every single game. But you have to love the performance given the split squad nature of the game.
I think the chances of some big-time numbers against the weaker third of the schedule are far more likely and there’s a smaller but maybe more significant chance the Irish are way more competent against the tougher third of the schedule. Do we dare think about 40 points per game and 7 yards per play in 2023? Both would be top 5-ish marks nationally…I think the schedule is a little too tough to get there but it’s fun to imagine.
5) Can you breakdown the new clock rules being implemented in DI and DII college football this season, are they good or bad?
Okay, here are the 3 new rules going into effect this season:
#1 No consecutive timeouts – A much needed change and one of those rules where you wonder how it was even allowed to go on for so long.
#2 No untimed downs at the end of the 1st quarter and 3 quarter – I don’t think this rule was that old, right? I’m struggling to understand why this ever came into being. Getting rid of this is the right move, for sure.
#3 The game clock no longer stops after 1st down except with under 2 minutes to play in the 2nd quarter and 4th quarter – I go back and forth with this one but end up being about 70/30 in opposition. College football games are way, way, way too long and I’m getting increasingly more frustrated and ornery about it as I get older. It just stinks that they’ve decided that a way to shorten game times is to allow less football to be played.
If we didn’t have to play Navy every damn year I’d be less worried. Over the last 3 meetings against the Middies, the Irish have averaged just over 56 offensive plays per game. I swear to God there’s going to be a game against Navy at some point in the future with these new rules where Notre Dame is hustling trying to get in a 2nd offensive series to finish the 1st half.
I have to think there may be backlash if games move along too quickly and we see a substantial drop in plays per game.
I also think this is going to happen:
IIRC, something like that actually happened in the second half of the 2016 Navy game. Pretty sure we only had two possessions in an entire half.
The good news is that (1) the new “cut” blocking rules are a huge disadvantage for Navy and (2) the new clock rules mean that Navy is probably limited to scoring about 28 points max in a game.
I’m bearish on the prospects of actually finding and getting a “excellent Power 5 level guard with plenty of size and experience” but agree it would be a great outcome if possible.
For portal wishlist, I’d go:
#1: Pass rush DE who could get 5-8 sacks (agreed on Botehlo notes above)
#2: Starting caliber safety
#3: Starting guard
#4: Wide receiver (seem to be plentiful, need with the recent 2 departures)
#5: Interior DL (call me crazy, but I’m fine with the depth of the Cross/Mills/Rubio/Onye group in the middle, can’t have enough though)
Who knows how many can be addressed at this stage, but those look like the holes
Don’t think he’s a graduate, but this is the type of player who there’s no good reason shouldn’t be able to come in if ND is serious (assuming he would want to do so). Believe he almost committed out of HS before making a wrong decision.
I know he’s a slot and not the pure position of need, but I think Thomas has been working outside anyways.
https://247sports.com/college/michigan/Article/Michigan-football-wide-receiver-AJ-Henning-enters-NCAA-transfer-portal-208627942/
I like how you termed it a wrong decision. I think this is a fair option for a transfer. We don’t have a ton of obvious WR for the slot.
I always thought that Styles was best in the slot. I realize he is gone but didn’t he play out of the slot mainly against OK State in the bowl game. He looked sudden and explosive with no one to jam him and then last year we played him almost exclusively on the outside. Just thought that was not the right use of his speed and agility.
What would you envision his role being? I wanted Henning badly when he was in high school, but he’s basically been non-existent in college except for as a punt returner. If we’re only going to be able to take 2 transfers, Henning isn’t a guy I would be particularly excited about. I wouldn’t hate the move, but I also wouldn’t be surprised to see him receive less than 5 targets in 2023.
Fair enough, he hasn’t been much of an offensive weapon but would improve PR/KR. That alone is worth a spot.
Tim O’Malley set the o/u at 5.5 more from the roster to go into the portal before it closes 4/30, which so far has only been 2 (Styles, Kollie). They’re already at 84 now (if my math/memory is right) so add a few more to that and I think they will have room for at ~4 to work with adding. Would agree if you can only take two that Henning isn’t as desirable but I am operating with more space in mind, doubt it will be sitting at 83 with only the chance to add two more once the cycle is complete.
Ok yeah, if the attrition is going to continue, and we have room for 4 or 5, I’m all in on a punt returner. I don’t think there’s much value in today’s game for a kick returner, but I can see taking a punt returner with a 4th or 5th transfer.
Maybe. You keep saying punt returner but I think he could also get on the field and some snaps at slot. Isn’t going to lead the team in receptions or anything but a good athlete that it would be wise to find ways to get the ball to.
Lorenzo Styles had almost as many receiving yards in the Oklahoma State game as Henning has had in his entire career. Chris Tyree has twice as many career receiving yards as Henning. I suppose I’m skeptical that he’s going to get to ND and all of a sudden break out after 3 years of almost no production offensively.
ISD reporting Kollie is in the portal.
That one stings.
Wonder why-
I think Kollie has always been an inside LB, primarily at Will.
It seems like we are phasing out the Rover position, or not really considering it a starting position on the defense anymore.
Within the last week especially, the beat media have now put Kiser as the starting Will and it seems like Liufau is going to play a lot less with Sneed possibly getting some reps at Will, too.
And then Kiser will also play a little at Rover with Sneed backing him up there, too.
Jamie U was saying wasn’t good enough in coverage for rover and like E said, that’s being de-emphasized anyways.
Probably just leaving for not getting to see the field enough with the log jam in front of him. Can’t blame him since he only has 2 years of eligibility left, time for him to get going somewhere.
Rumors say going to Vandy to reunite with Lea, and I think Kollie almost just outright went with Lea to Vandy two years ago in the first place.
Thinking about that ’21 class now that Styles and Kollie are leaving, four 4*s have left (also Berrong and Riley) and twelve of the twenty-seven enrollees. That seems like a lot to forego Notre Dame degree and you wish them success wherever they choose/chose to go and for whatever reason.
I checked out Oregon’s ’21 class (their best over those years) since their 5 year recruiting rankings (’18-’22) are a whisker better than ours. Nineteen of their twenty-three enrollees were 4*s, twelve of those nineteen have left, and fifteen of the twenty-three are no longer in Eugene.
Their ’23 class (9th nationally) of twenty-nine had twenty blue chippers and they’ve taken ten transfers in – thirty-nine newcomers. What a churn. Almost half the team. They aren’t rebuilding like a Colorado or a Arizona State, but replacing the losses with transfers with immediate eligibility and more blue chippers. The future of established power teams in college football? Just four semesters (or less) for a player and on to a second school?
Freeman recently said on Styles departure:
— Just saw the post that Buchner is transferring.
Probably, The Athletic today said that average P5 school has already had 16 players transfer out since the end of the 2022 season. I would assume that’s probably weighted more towards younger players leaving and gradually easing as survivors tend to make it with increasing odds if they last 2 or 3 years.
Interesting you used Oregon as an example, they have had 26 transfers out (t-5th highest for P5 teams) but I guess not that many in the class you looked out. I would also tend to bet that coaching changes drive those high numbers with Lanning probably putting the finishing touches on clearing out the players he didn’t bring in and doesn’t like and bringing in the new ones he does want.
I thought a review of one class two years out may be instructive rather than overall transfers in a year. I agree much is the younger players transferring.
Rather than a coaching change driving the transfers at Oregon, I expect the reason for the transfers of the high rated players after two years are more their expectations when they sign.
All those (2021) 4*s leaving Oregon are swiftly finding new programs – LSU, UCLA, Tenn, Baylor, other PAC teams, etc. (UCLA has almost as many transfers in as recruits signed in 2023)
Lanning did seem to oversign with the ’23 class, but in a quick look, Do you oversign in this day and age to anticipate transfers? Is the NIL money better elsewhere?
NIne of Oregon’s twenty-nine in their Class of ’23 are rated three stars. (three of the four 3*s in their Class of ’21 have transferred.) The chances of those nine leaving after less than two years in a program that annually recruits a high number of blue chip players is high. The new college football power model?
Does it though? If he hasn’t shown it on the field yet, given the physical and mental limitations of our upper class linebackers, will he ever?
Same for TB.
It stings in the sense that it sucks for 4* guys to not work out. Per the Oregon comment below, a lot of them don’t.
I’m actually kind of happy to see it. It means our underclassmen, the guys Freeman is bringing in, are better than guys like Styles, Kollie, and Buchner.
Yeah, the part that stings is just that the hype didn’t result in production (or even snaps for that matter). Speaks more as a vote of confidence in the rest of the roster.
I basically agree with this. Talented underclassmen leaving because there are better players ahead of them seems like a good thing since it shows how good those players are ahead of them.
That could apply to TB, but I am not sure the upperclassmen argument applies to Kollie or WR Styles (although it might to CB/S Styles). Both of transfers seem to be based on underclassmen taking over higher spots on the depth chart.
What WR upperclassman is taking snaps away from Styles? He was the upperclassman who was supposed to be bogarting the snaps.
Kollie can’t pass Marist? That is either some $5/gallon, premium grade nepotism from a coaching staff that didn’t recruit & greyshirt Marist or Kollie was not going to hold off a charge from younger LBs.
Yea even better of course if it’s also talented underclassmen passing them up or on the same level as they are so it means taking snaps away from one (which is of course true at WR and even potentially true at LB)
Styles I think was just no good as a WR, but I wouldn’t say this is an accurate statement for Kollie or Buchner in the least. Pretty much the opposite. Both of them left because the upperclassmen were going to bogart the playing time in 2023, not because of underclassmen were at risk of passing them up.
What other ways could they shorten the game without cutting into ad revenue (which I imagine is a non-starter)?
-Replay reviews only via challenge flag, rather than anytime a replay ref decides he’s bored.
-Replays reviews capped at 60 seconds.
-Don’t review every Targeting penalty.
-Shorten halftime to NFL length.
The last of those is just the lowest-hanging fruit imaginable. I guess the reason they don’t is halftime band performances? If so, man, they just gotta move on and change it.
20 minutes in college vs. 13 minutes in the NFL.
It’s such an easy decision to shorten it, IMO.
I’m not certain it’s an “easy” decision, although I would make it immediately. There are a lot of people who would certainly be upset that you are taking away another part of what differentiates the college game from the pro game. The pageantry and tradition of college marching bands is something a certain demographic still loves.
I supposed you could do a bigger show pregame and/or postgame. But there would definitely be some pushback and anger from some of the older crowd.
If they shorten the halftime period, which has to go? Chicago, Mellencamp, or Neil Diamond?
Fire extinguishers.
Pre-game has always been the answer.
But then how will we get the screaming Irish lady and a song about /checks notes Boston?
Pregame and halftime are the easy answers here, I think, especially for NBC and FOX. The Big Noon broadcast starts at 11:00 and kickoff is at like 11:20.
In my view, the biggest focus should be on capping replay reviews to 1 min or less. If the call is not obvious at that point, the call on the field stands and we all move on. I don’t need to see a 5 min review of a first and 10 throw from the 40 yard line that went 2 yards. Heck, I don’t even need to see a 2 min review of whether the ball crossed the plane of the end zone — take a quick look, make a decision, and move on
Agreed. The standard is indisputable evidence. If it takes more then 1 minute (I would argue 30 seconds) it is, by definition, disputable. One look at every angle on the replay and perhaps the ref can go back and look at one a second time. Then done. Period.
Also a huge problem with March Madness (said as a very casual basketball observer). Those games practically grind to a halt in the closing moments. Important to get the calls right, but at some point you can’t stand around watching a guy watching a monitor to see if a ball grazed off a guy’s finger tips or not.
How about don’t do TD > Commercial > XP > Commercial > Kickoff > Commercial > Run one play to finish off the 1st Q > Commercial? That would probably cut into revenue, but how many times does one need to see a Jersey Mike’s commercial during a football game and how much is it pulling in for TV on the 12th showing?
Aren’t the 3 guards mentioned (Schrauth, Krisofic and Spindler) battling for 2 starting spots?
I don’t believe Pat Coogan is the mix to start at guard
“Aren’t the 3 guards mentioned (Schrauth, Krisofic and Spindler) battling for 2 starting spots?”
Yup.
ESPN reporting (rumors) that Buchner is entering the portal
He’s looking around (and could come back):
https://twitter.com/tylerbuchner/status/1650903621091860480?s=20
The Florida QB’s were so unimpressive Napier was openly grasping at hopes to find a QB in the portal late.
Glad it seems more amicable/discussed than Pyne. Clearly Hartmann passed him by but I wonder if they weren’t even too high on him as the back up long term (meaning by late season).
Apparently Bama’s QBs struggled a lot in their spring game.
Just sayin’
He’s visiting Bama, per John Brice.
Well then.
Well, I guess he is undefeated against SEC opponents!
Trying to think of what he’d be looking for. Most likely anywhere he goes would result in next year being the starter since he’d need yo learn a new system. Maybe he’s not sure if he’d be the starter next year over angeli/minchey/carr? Otherwise I can’t see how leaving would improve his situation.
Based on reports of how he was at all the non-scrimmage practices I’d think sticking around for next year would be his best option, but maybe that’s not what the coaches have told him.
My guess is he thinks – and maybe was told – that Minchey and/or Angeli could be right behind him by next year or even late this year, not to mention then we’ll have Carr. Hopefully. I presume he’d want to go someplace where he will for sure start ASAP but from the sound of it, Freeman is okay having him back too
This is certainly logical for why he might transfer but it doesn’t seem very likely insofar as Angel and/or Minchey don’t really seem right behind him – even for next year. Buchner has shown a lot of potential (even in a real game) that these other guys I imagine have not come close to.
I’d be surprised if they were particularly close. Maybe he just doesn’t want to sit behind Hartmann because it’s clear that’s going to happen.
Ehhhhhh
He’s shown flashes of terrific raw talent. I’m not sure that’s the same as potential. His only good full game to date came against the shell of what was already not a very good S Carolina defense. And even that good game included a pair of pick-sixes.
I was taking potential to mean raw talent basically here. And I was taking a lot as in comparison to the other two guys.
If those were the 3 guys you had to pick from to be a QB next year, it’d hard to think there’s much evidence right now for picking someone other than Buchner.
Right, from all reports there is a world between Buchner and Angeli/Minchey right now.
Well, what we actually saw in the BG game was a world of difference between Hartman on the one hand and everyone else on the other. I realize that’s only one practice of 15, but I’m becoming pretty skeptical of “reports.” Buchner looked like he did against Marshall, which is to say a very questionable backup that we should try to avoid playing.
TB just capped his 3rd spring. Angeli his 2nd and Minchey his 1st.There are reasons they are separated.
How are the younger 2 progressing vs. TBs progression? It would be worrying if those trend lines look like they will intersect soon.
Do they look more like quarterbacks in the QB room and TB looks more like an athlete who throws the ball?
I don’t know, but I expect that TB and the coaches have an idea.
That’s fair. But it would undeniably be better for the program in 2023 to have Buchner on the team as QB2, which to me is the chief concern. Not too worried about which QB is where or who the top prospect is so much as where the team is in the short term.
(Although Sampson said ND might go portal shopping themselves at QB, which I guess is a good enough fall back as well for Buchner insurance).
Mostly agree. I am also cool with clearing out the QBs Rees the Elder scouted.
That lets the younger guys get more 1st team reps and then you can see who is going to be CJ’s Evan Sharpley
Counterpoint: if Angeli or Minchey is clearly a better long term prospect, do we want to spend 2023 giving TB most of the 2nd team reps?
Also, if Hartman gets hurt, I have zero confidence in TB leading us to any more (or less) success than Pyne did. Might as well see what Minchey and Angeli have in that case.
Gotcha. Opinions can vary, I wouldn’t buy that assumption that “Angeli or Minchey is clearly a better long term prospect” than Buchner. Buchner is a Gator Bowl MVP, we’ve actually seen he can be pretty good at his best. He surely would be the guy to want as the bridge to Carr.
Buchner may not beat tOSU or USC, but hell, Hartman might not either.
Pyne also had an 8-2 record as a starter, which, hey for a guy who sucked that’s not as terrible results as the reputation suggests. I’d take any QB2 to win 80% of their games as a pretty fair stop gap measure.
yea interesting point. Bama has been suggested since apparently no QB has impressed. But if Buchner goes there and starts a game or two before turning the ball over a lot and getting pulled there’s a ton of talent behind him – even if it is not yet ready to start. I mean Buchner could go to Bama and start this year and not start next year.
I would imagine if one’s goal is to play and start this year it would be tough to make a decision about whether one could do it at some other school or not. It’s hard to imagine Bama is just going to hand him the job.
Good point and I think something that ties into that opening part you talk about is over-looked: aside from a DNP in the Fiesta Bowl, I’m pretty sure Buchner has at least played in every game he’s been healthy in college (attempted passes and had carries in 10 games in 2021, three in 2022). I believe the only two he missed in ’21 was due to hamstring injury, otherwise he was seeing the field quite a bit.
I know some have bandied about the possibility of Buchner having a package or getting snaps here or there in games at Notre Dame in 2023, but let’s be real: Hartman is an elite college football QB. That’s not a guy you remove from games willingly for any reason. Thus, Buchner was probably playing about 0 meaningful snaps at ND in 2023.
That’s the tailor-made recipe for a QB (or any position) to leave a program when they realize that, barring injury, he was way less a piece of the puzzle as a junior than he was as a freshman
Going to Alabama might mean getting his ass yanked and put on the bench by week 3 (or the third quarter of week 1), but at least the chance to play and put it in his hands, which is more than he would get at Notre Dame this fall. Which sounds totally ridiculous that a QB can get more opportunity there, but here we are.
Yea but while he might get more opportunity elsewhere in 2023 that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t have more of an opportunity in 2024/2025 at ND. It’s gotta be really tough to make a decision with so many unknowns like that (trying to imagine myself in his shoes).
Or Notre Dame could bring in the 2024 version of Coan/Hartman again and Buchner would be out in the cold again. Can’t plan for the future with all those unknowns, gotta look for what is best right now, in the areas you can control.
That’s true that that is possible (maybe even likely). However, I guess I would think all things being equal it would be easier to establish oneself as the starter at a place that one has been longer (esp. as a QB where knowing the offense makes such a big difference I would think).
True, one could take either perspective. I would think at this point for Buchner, it’s the opposite of what you present. Much easier to get a promise to be a starter somewhere else and play in 2023 rather than lean on familiarity and wait for 2024. I believe from Wimbush (UCF) to Zaire (UF) and even Golson (FSU) all those guys leaving got assurances at the first crack at starting in their new place, though it didn’t always last very long.
My point was that patience doesn’t always pay off and opportunity isn’t guaranteed based on familiarity alone. Especially when you’re sitting in Buchner’s shoes and have seen ND bring in experienced QB1’s in 2 out of the 3 years. At this point it is in his best interests to play now in 2023, let alone worry about what 2024 could hold.
I agree that if he can get a promise to start somewhere (I’m thinking this is not Alabama) that he should go and start there.
I guess I’m thinking it’s tough to get a promise and that most schools might say look we think you’d start but you’ll have to earn it. And in the end it’ll be hard for him to know whether in fact he can earn it at that other school or not before having stepped foot on campus.
There is a Rees factor there at Bama
Very excited to scout for the 2024 Sam Hartman equivalent during this season. @Eric – ready to do another one of those impressive massive transfer QB analyses?
Buchner reportedly (by reportedly I mean “I saw on twitter”) is listed as “no contact” in the portal, which is a weird thing if he’s just looking around and doesn’t know what he’s going to do. Maybe a clerical error, or maybe he’s just blowing smoke about coming back to ND.
I wonder how often an experienced and talented starter will transfer for a graduate year. That would seem to be pretty rare. I would think it would mostly likely come from somewhere outside the power 5.
Otherwise, it’s whose young backup is pretty good that might be able to start for us because their current starting QB is awesome and not going anywhere.
Quinn Ewers is gonna need a landing spot if Arch steals his jerb in ’24. (Undergrad though and I assume if he’s any good something tells me he goes to like UGA or tOSU. Maybe Bama who knows).
Would he be looking at his 17th team?
I’ll put $100 on him leaving the team 3 games in and landing in USC if The Arch happens.
Another good call. I think QB and WR are like the only thing Riley is recruiting out there (shocking huh), might not be a space for a transfer.
Riley stockpiles QBs the way we hoard big beefy OLs
Apparently you can never have enough of either
Ewers can go pro after this year, though I could see him and Texas having a “mutual” parting of ways where he transfers to some other big program and Texas starts Arch next year
All going to depend on how you define “experienced” and “talented”. But just this off season we had Hartmann, DJU, Leary from NC State, Armstrong from UVA who had good starting experience and arguably are all talented. Then you get guys who are missing one or the other to some degree but you can argue have both, like Card out of Texas and Tanner Mordecai out of SMU, etc. etc. Point being that while I don’t think you can bank on a Hartmann every or most years (unless UGA/Bama want to do it) you probably can bank on at least a Jack Coan
Full agreeance on that. And I’m not sure that 2024 Jack Coan is a worse option than 2024 Buchner, much less shooting a shot at something better.
If Buchner stays that’s good, particularly for 2023 because I’m not super excited about our QB2 situation without him; if he doesn’t, I think we’ll be ok for 2024 so long as the coaches realize it’s still grad transfer szn and don’t try to push Angeli or Minchey.
Yeah all else equal I’d prefer he stay, especially for the sake of this fall should an injury happen, but I’m also fine spinning the wheel yet again on a grad transfer. Especially if Hartman can put up big numbers and make it look like this isn’t a QB-negative offense
Here’s my early morning best-case-scenario I’ve thought of. Buchner transfers to Alabama. Starts all year, then finishes his degree. Oh look, now he’s a graduate and can transfer right back to ND with a full year of starter experience under his belt at a major school. It’s been the plan all along.
CFB instituting one year loans like European football. *No* option to buy in this case.
Buchner starting all year at Bama is the least likely part though, right? And if he does somehow do it, something tells me he’s going to the NFL draft and not back to South Bend.
He did say best case scenario. All ND fans know that implies a 0% likelihood.
Ha, touche.
I appreciate tk’s optimism, but that sounds like he still would be waiting on dear old dad to return any minute after the quick trip out to buy a pack of smokes..
Yes this is very much a thing that is definitely not the case, but can’t be proven to not be the case yet.
Every year there will be guys who can make more money playing as a 5th year at some big-time school rather than being a 6th round draft pick.
Yea NIL will likely change the calculus for some of them.
*glances at Zach Edy declaring for the NBA draft but keeping option to come back to Purdue*
Yup, checks out. Edy probably stands to make more money at Purdue and NIL stuff up in Canada than he would as a 2nd round NBA pick.