Notre Dame has its starting quarterback.
Three weeks prior to its season opener at Ohio State, Notre Dame named sophomore Tyler Buchner as its starting quarterback Saturday.
QB1@tylerbuchner #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/QYR3nHSZ9p
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 13, 2022
“It was time to give the offense clarity on who was the starting quarterback,” Freeman said in his press conference after the announcement was made.
Just eight days into fall camp, Buchner has done enough to win the starting nod over junior Drew Pyne. A four-star recruit out of La Jolla, Calif., Buchner was the 11th-ranked quarterback in the 2021 class, according to 247Sports' Composite rankings.
In 10 games as a backup in 2021, Buchner completed 21 of 35 passes for 298 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions and ran the ball 46 times for 336 yards and three touchdowns. The second-year dual-threat quarterback was recently named one of the 25 most important players in the College Football Playoff race, checking in at No. 2 on ESPN's list.
In Buchner's first game leading the Fighting Irish, he will be tasked with going against a revamped Ohio State defense led by first-year defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Notre Dame will be shorthanded at both running back and wide receiver, as it has suffered season-ending injuries at both skill positions. That said, Buchner will still have one of the best tight ends in the country in Michael Mayer, who led the team in receptions (71), was second in receiving yards (840) and tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (seven) in 2021.
Buchner’s first start will come in a top-five matchup when the Fighting Irish travel to Columbus to play the Buckeyes at 7:30 p.m. Sept 3.
