Tyler Buchner John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Former Notre Dame QB heading back to school to play different sport

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 12/4/23

Former Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner is returning to South Bend, but this time, he's trading in his shoulder pads for a lacrosse stick.

I’m told that Buchner will finish the Bama football season with the team (as has been reported in multiple outlets), then intends to return to Notre Dame, where he’ll join the defending @NCAALAX champions @NDlacrosse in time for the 2024 season. https://t.co/RNY6JGiwps
— Terry Foy (@TerenceFoy) December 5, 2023

Buchner transferred from Notre Dame last offseason and followed former Irish offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to Alabama, where he briefly got the opportunity to win the starting role in Week 3 against USF.

He was 5-of-14 for 34 yards, and head coach Nick Saban wisely reinserted Jalen Milroe into the starting lineup.

Buchner played in 13 games for the Fighting Irish from 2021-22 and was 67-of-118 (56.8%) for 949 yards and eight interceptions.

Per InsideLacrosse's Terry Foy, Buchner will remain with the Tide through the College Football Playoff, giving Buchner the opportunity to potentially win two national championships in 2024.

The Irish won their first men's lacrosse national championship in May, beating Duke 13-9, and will return one of the country's top goalies, Liam Entenmann, as well as brothers Pat and Chris Kavanagh, two of the leaders of last year's team.

USA Lacrosse Magazine ranked Notre Dame No. 2 in its "way early 2024 rankings." Per On3, Buchner was "one of the top lacrosse recruits in the country coming out of high school."

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