The sting of not being crowned in the NCAAF still lingers, but redemption is just around the corner for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Now without Riley Leonard as the starting signal-caller, Marcus Freeman’s squad will look to bounce back — and the possibility of Tyler Buchner stepping in as quarterback is very real.
After his last stint with the Crimson Tide, Buchner returned to the place where he began his collegiate career, making his transition smoother than expected. Despite recently playing in other offensive roles, his talent as a quarterback now positions him as a new option for the head coach moving forward.
In a recent conversation with the media, Freeman spoke about his new options to consider as replacements for Leonard — a player who, without a doubt, will not be easy to replace.
“He’s been itching to get back to that unit. If you watch some of the wide receiver individual drills last year, he was throwing the ball,” Freeman said via on3.com. “When Steve (Angeli) decided to leave, we felt like we wanted a little bit of experience to go into that room. His job is ultimately to make the room better, right? Make the room better and get better yourself. I see him doing that.
Tyler Buchner #12 of Notre Dame Fighting Irish passes during the Notre Dame Blue-Gold Spring Football Game at Notre Dame Stadium on April 22, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana.
“He’s helping Blake (Hebert), being a young freshman, working with Kenny (Minchey) and CJ (Carr), in terms of through his experience, but also becoming a better player himself. I’m glad to have him back in there.”
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The alternatives to replace Leonard
With Riley Leonard now playing for the Indianapolis Colts, Notre Dame’s quarterback situation for the upcoming season is a wide-open competition. Head coach Marcus Freeman has several options to consider, with a mix of young talent and returning players vying for the starting job.
The primary candidates for the starting role are expected to be redshirt freshman CJ Carr and redshirt sophomore Kenny Minchey. Carr, a highly-touted recruit, has impressed early in his time with the program and is considered by many to be the long-term future of the position.
Minchey, meanwhile, has been noted for his mobility and ability to add a different dimension to the offense. Also in the mix is graduate transfer Tyler Buchner, who returned to the program and provides a veteran presence and experience, creating a competitive quarterback room.
First games for the Fighting Irish
With the clear goal of once again becoming one of the toughest programs to face in the upcoming NCAAF season, these are the first matchups Notre Dame will take on starting in Week 1.
- @ Miami Hurricanes, August 31st
- vs Texas A&M Aggies, September 13th
- vs Purdue Boilermakers, September 20th
- @ Arkansas Razorbacks, September 27th
- vs Boise State Broncos, October 4th
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