5 Greatest Quarterbacks in Notre Dame Football History

Over three seasons as a starter, Rice led Notre Dame to a 32-5 record, including a national championship after a perfect 12-0 season in 1988.

And while Rice wasn’t much of a passer -- he threw 11 touchdowns and 20 interceptions over those three seasons -- he was a force on the ground and a true leader.

Rice’s best statistical season came in 1989 when he finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting upon running for 884 yards with six touchdowns and throwing for another 1,112 with Ricky Watters in the backfield behind him and "Rocket" Ismail out wide.

4. Joe Theismann (1967-1970)

For his first three years at Notre Dame, Joe pronounced his last name the way his family did: Thees-man. But a clever Heisman-Trophy gimmick by the school convinced the quarterback to alter pronunciation and it stuck.

The Heisman didn’t come, though Theismann would finish second in voting for it in 1970. He set Notre Dame records for yards passing with 2,429 and passing touchdowns with 16. Both have since been eclipsed as the game has changed, but it was clear that the New Jersey native was a star when throwing the football. 

3. Angelo Bertelli (1941-1943)

Six games were all Bertelli needed to win the first Heisman Trophy for a Notre Dame player in history, capturing the award for the 1942 season. The reason for the short season? He joined the Marine Corps for World War II.

Bertelli had just been moved to the position from running back the year before. In that 1941 season, he threw for 1,039 yards and 10 touchdowns. In his final half-season, his 25 completions went for an astounding 512 yards with 10 of those 25 resulting in touchdowns. It was a legendary year-and-a-half.

2. Paul Hornung (1954-1956)

Maybe you want to qualify Hornung as a running back. Or maybe a defensive back. Or a kicker. Or a returner. The man they called "The Golden Boy" could do it all. 

Hornung’s 1956 Heisman Trophy was won as a quarterback, so we’re going to call him a quarterback. The thing is, too, that the Fighting Irish stunk that year, going just 2-8. But Hornung showed what would make him an eventual Pro Football Hall of Famer, too, as he threw for 917 yards and ran for 420 while also ranking second in interceptions and tackles.

As a quarterback only, does he deserve the No. 2 spot? Maybe not. But it’s our list, so, there you go.

1. Johnny Lujack (1942-43, 1946-47)

Lujack, like Bertelli, missed a couple years of college football because of participation in World War II.

When the Pennsylvania native returned from the war, he won two more national titles (winning his first in 1943) for the Fighting Irish and took home the Heisman Trophy in 1947 just one year after he finished third in that trophy’s voting. 

And also like Bertelli, Rice, Hornung and -- to a lesser extent -- Theismann, you won’t find Lujack’s statistical totals among the school’s all-time leaders. But that’s no mark against these five players. They remain iconic.

More Notre Dame Football Rankings

• 10 Greatest Notre Dame Football Players Ever
• 5 Greatest Running Backs in Notre Dame History
• 5 Greatest Defensive Players in Notre Dame History