Notre Dame still has the same quarterback issue it had for next season as it had in December. Who is going to be QB2 behind CJ Carr? There was some movement in the transfer portal, and Notre Dame went looking for a possible QB2, but nothing ever came to fruition.
The Irish will have three other quarterbacks on the roster in 2026 in sophomore Blake Hebert, and freshmen Noah Grubbs and Teddy Garrard — three players that have not played a single snap in a game.
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So now what?
Well… there might be a very well known player as another option. Yes — Tyler Buchner (just like the title says).
In the most recent Irish Illustrated Podcast, Tim O’Malley talks about quarterback/holder/lacrosse player, Tyler Buchner, and that Buchner may have another year of eligibility to play quarterback for the Irish.
Tim O’Malley: By the way, I have to bring this up. I don’t believe it’s happening. I will credit the colleague that sent me the text yesterday.
If it does, I got a text yesterday that said, have you heard anything about Buchner? I have not heard anything about Buchner, but that text is making me look into the quote, have you heard anything about Buchner? Because it wasn’t like standard conversation about life.
Pete Sampson: I know it. My understanding talking to people close to him was he’s got eligibility.
Tim O’Malley: Somehow he has a year.
Pete Sampson: Yeah, I didn’t really understand it, but he has a year of eligibility.
Tim Prister: Just appeal.
Tim O’Malley: So there you go. Put that on the boards, Jack Freeman. AI can talk about Tyler Buchner now.
Tim Prister: That’s not without significance.
Tim O’Malley: That’s why I brought it up here.
Pete Sampson: That would be who I’d put in the game.
Tim O’Malley: That’s who I would put in the game too. That’s why I brought it up. So there we go.
Yeah — there we go. Somehow, Buchner could return.
I fully believe that if something would have happened to CJ Carr AND Kenny Minchey last year, Tyler Buchner would have been the name Marcus Freeman and Mike Denbrock called. Under the current circumstances, if Buchner has eligibility remaining for one more year in South Bend, I think they HAVE to make that call.
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Obviously, not every fan likely wants this, and they spin it as a hindrance to development. To that, I would like to point out how little CJ Carr played as a true freshman and he worked out alright. I much rather see a veteran like Buchner take over if disaster strikes, than Notre Dame’s other current options.
What do you say?
