Notre Dame football: 3 things that'll make Irish contenders in 2023

Notre Dame football: 3 things that’ll make Irish contenders in 2023

Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman with players shortly before taking the field for Friday's Gator Bowl game. The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish took on the University of South Carolina Gamecocks in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl game in Jacksonville, Florida's TIAA Bank Field Friday, December 30, 2022. The first half ended with South Carolina holding a 24 to 17 lead. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]Jki 123022 Bs Gatorbowl 15 /

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Dec 23, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback Sam Hartman (10) drops back to pass against the Missouri Tigers in the first quarter in the 2022 Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Sam Hartman giving the Irish offense what it’s been missing

Let me preface this section by saying that I like Tyler Buchner and what he showed in the bowl game was encouraging. I think he is good enough to be Notre Dame’s quarterback next year and beyond, but Sam Hartman was obviously brought in for a reason.

Hartman was brought in to start for the Irish and be that high-volume passer that the program has been missing for a little while.

If No. 3 happens and a No. 1 receiver rises up and presents himself, Hartman is going to live up to expectations, and then some. He’s capable of passing for 4,000 yards in a single season and Tommy Rees will have a nice weapon to work with on offense as he’ll be fielding his best quarterback since taking over as offensive coordinator.

Hartman is one of the most experienced and proven quarterbacks in college football and he’s passed for nearly 13,000 yards and 110 touchdowns during his career.

If he steps up and gives the offense a high-volume passer with efficiency, the Irish are going to be a problem next season.

Next. Way-too-early Top 25 projections for 2023. dark

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