Notre Dame Football: Tyler Buchner should be QB1 for Irish in 2021

Notre Dame football’s annual spring game is in the books and the biggest takeaway for me is this: Tyler Buchner needs to be QB1 in 2021.

The Irish just had Ian Book start at quarterback for a few years and he led Notre Dame to the College Football Playoff twice. His style of quarterback worked in South Bend and it’s clear Brian Kelly has a type. He likes strong, accurate-armed quarterbacks with the ability to pick up yardage with his legs.

Now that Book has moved on to the NFL, the Irish are tasked with trying to replace him and that’s why Kelly brought in Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan.

On Saturday, fans got their first taste at what the post-Book era will look like. Coan finished with 197 yards and an interception on 18-for-32 passing. Drew Pyne was 11-for-23 with 146 yards and a touchdown.

But the star of the day was Buchner as he finished with 140 yards and a rushing touchdown on 6-for-9 passing. He looked really, really good.

These are all veteran throws and the rushing touchdown was impressive. This kid is a gamer and he deserves to play immediately and I wouldn’t be shocked if he was QB1 this fall.

Notre Dame football shouldn’t be scared by inexperience

Just because Buchner is a true freshman doesn’t mean he’s not ready. He just faced an impressive Notre Dame defense in the spring game and looking like an All-American. He was accurate and took some shots. And his ability to run is obvious.

Buchner was the No. 70 overall prospect in the 2021 class and it’s pretty clear that his decision to enroll early was a smart one.

Kelly even admitted after the spring game that the best quarterback will play whether that’s Pryne, Coan, or Buchner. He pretty much stated that he’s not afraid to put his trust in a true freshman if he’s the best quarterback in the room and he sure looked like it on Saturday.

Notre Dame’s future is bright and the Buchner era might start sooner rather than later.