Former Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman announces transfer decision

Sam Hartman has made his transfer decision. Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Former Wake Forest record-setting QB Sam Hartman announces transfer decision

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 1/6/23

Marcus Freeman has to feel somewhat conflicted about his first season at Notre Dame, but without a doubt, his program's future is bright.

The Fighting Irish got a major dose of hope for a strong 2023 season earlier Thursday when quarterback Sam Hartman, who has played the past five seasons at Wake Forest, announced that he'll be transferring to Notre Dame and joining the Irish for his final season of eligibility.

Well, he didn't really say much, but Hartman's intentions for 2023 were pretty clear:

Onward. #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/cUfPyqQlQ6
— Sam Hartman (@sam_hartman10) January 5, 2023

To say that this is massive news for Freeman and the Irish is an understatement.

Last season's starter, Drew Pyne, recently transferred to Arizona State. Sophomore Tyler Buchner was his backup, and he threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns in Notre Dame's Gator Bowl win over South Carolina, but he also threw three interceptions. Buchner's resume also pales in comparison to what Hartman is bringing to the table for the Fighting Irish.

In five seasons with the Demon Deacons, Hartman threw for 12,967 yards and 110 touchdowns (41 interceptions). He had an average QB rating of 144.9 and also notched 17 touchdowns as a rusher. He leaves the ACC as the conference's all-time leader in touchdowns thrown — ahead of the likes of Tajh Boyd, Philip Rivers, Trevor Lawrence and Deshaun Watson — and second only to Rivers in passing yards.

Hartman is an elite quarterback, and he should end up being a major piece of an interesting Notre Dame squad next season.

More must-reads: