Notre Dame football: Top 10 quarterbacks in program history
By Jacob Wilson
5. Tom Clements (1972-74)
Tom Clements’ first season with the Irish went very similar to Notre Dame’s most recent reason, starting off hot but falling apart with a few weeks left in the season. However, the Irish would do a complete 180 under Clements in his junior year, finishing off a perfect season with a 24-23 victory over Alabama to claim Ara Parseghian’s second National Championship title.
Clements was never perfect in one specific aspect of his game, but was well-rounded all things considered. Despite faltering in his first year, Clements will go down in history as one of the most successful Irish quarterbacks ever, finishing his college career with 3,594 passing yards and 36 total touchdowns.
Clements always struggled with interceptions, but had a clutch gene that left little room for criticism of any kind. Regardless, Clements will always be known for leading the Irish to one of their many National Championships as well as his incredible 29-5 overall record as a Notre Dame quarterback. Clements would go on to play in one NFL game for the Kansas City Chiefs.