Sofia CrimiVaroli | The Observer The Sam Hartman era officially came to a close on Monday. The graduate student quarterback announced he will not take the field with the Irish when they face Oregon State in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, on Dec. 29.
After six seasons, Hartman’s collegiate career is over. He spent the first five at Wake Forest before transferring to Notre Dame for the 2023 campaign. In his lone South Bend season, Hartman threw for 2,689 yards at a 63.5% completion rate. He also threw for 24 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, with the Irish posting a 9-3 record on the year.
Overall, Hartman threw for 15,656 yards in college, completing 1,135 of 1,898 throws (59.8% completion rate). He notched 149 passing touchdowns against 49 interceptions. He is tied for third in all-time collegiate passing touchdowns and fifth in passing yards. Hartman is currently ranked as the 15th best quarterback prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft by Pro Football Focus, although it is likely some of those ranked ahead of Hartman will stay in college, such as Alabama’s 12th-ranked Jalen Milroe.
With Hartman out, sophomore Steve Angeli will make his first collegiate start against the Beavers. Angeli played in 7 of Notre Dame’s 12 regular season contests in 2023. He completed 19 of 25 passes for 272 yards and 4 touchdowns. Angeli will also be trying to make a case to be Notre Dame’s starting quarterback in the fall. He and sophomore Kenny Minchey are both on track to return next season.
The Irish will also welcome highly-touted recruit CJ Carr to their quarterbacks room next season. It’s also possible the Irish could dip into the transfer portal, as they did to bring in Hartman this season and former Wisconsin Badger Jack Coan in 2021. Duke quarterback Riley Leonard is among the most likely options for Notre Dame to pursue. Leonard visited Notre Dame last Wednesday and Thursday.
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