Sam Hartman, a long-time Wake Forest QB, commits to Notre Dame in his final season
Sam Hartman will be finishing his college career at Notre Dame.
Hartman, Wake Forest’s longtime starting quarterback, announced his retirement Thursday That he has committed that he will play for the Fighting Irish during his final season of eligibility.
Hartman was a Wake Forest student for five seasons and played in 48 Demon Deacons games. Hartman started as a true freshman in 2018, and was then the backup for Jamie Newman in 2019. In 2019, he moved back to the starting line-up.
Hartman only played in four games in 2019, which allowed him to receive a redshirt. Hartman also received the NCAA’s free year of eligibility for the 2020 season that was interrupted by the pandemic. Hartman now has one more year of eligibility. He will be a sixth-year senior next year at Notre Dame.
It’s a massive pickup for the Irish. Hartman has thrown 12,967 yards and 110 touchdowns over his college career. Hartman’s career high was in 2021 when he threw 4,228 yards and 39 touchdowns for the Demon Deacons to win the ACC Atlantic.
Hartman was able to throw for 3,701 yards, 38 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and completed 63.1%. Wake Forest was 8-5 in this season, highlighted by a win against Missouri at the Gasparilla Bowl.
Hartman decided to take his shot at NFL and put his name in the transfer portal. Hartman was not interested in taking the NFL shot. Hartman confirmed the status of Notre Dame after a visit to South Bend, Wednesday and Thursday.
Notre Dame was 9-4 in this season’s first season under Marcus Freeman. After a disappointing 3-3 start to the season, the Irish won six of seven of their remaining games. The Irish relied heavily upon the ground attack after some difficulties on offense. Tyler Buchner started the season as the starting quarterback. However, he was hurt in Week 2. Drew Pyne assumed control of the offense and threw for 2,021 yards with 22 touchdowns.
Nevertheless, the passing game had a low production and Notre Dame knew that it would turn to the transfer portal in order to improve its quarterback. After the regular season, Pyne decided that he would transfer to Arizona State.
Buchner was able to return from his injury for Notre Dame’s bowl game, a 45-38 win over South Carolina in the Gator Bowl. Buchner threw for 274 yard and three touchdowns, and added 61 yards on the ground and two scores. Buchner also threw three interceptions. Two of them were returned for touchdowns.
Buchner was a four-star recruit in 2021 and has indicated that he will continue with the program and be a candidate for the opening. Still, it’s hard not to view Hartman as the heavy favorite to begin next season as Notre Dame’s starter.
Hartman can now face his former school, Wake Forest, at Notre Dame Stadium on October 28.