Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.com JUNE/JULY 2023 7 FAN FORUM Notre Dame had five players enter the NCAA transfer portal around the tail end of spring practices in late April, bringing its total to 12 since the beginning of the 2022 season. None elicited more of a reaction from Fighting Irish fans then junior quarterback Tyler Buchner, who originally left the door open for a possible return to Notre Dame. When the news of Buchner 's portal plunge broke April 25 — and it was later reported that he could potentially end up at Alabama, where he would reunite with former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees — Irish fans had no shortage of things to say on our message board at BlueandGold.com. Here is a small sampling from the large number of opinions that were shared prior to the April 27 confirmation of Buchner's transfer to Alabama: cmwicker: If you stop and think about it, this was obvious. Java65: Yeah, not sure how this could be a surprise to anyone. I fully expect more guys on the 2 deep. FightinMike87: He's probably got a plane ready for Tuscaloosa. [Nick] Saban was asked after their spring game if a transfer QB was on the table, and he was very open to it. [Steve] Angeli better get ready, quick. daytrader70: Buchner will get eaten alive in the SEC. Good luck dude. TDHND: Had a feeling this was coming. Not surprised. KWSUSMC: Sad but not surprising, this is how it is today … IrishRogue: Does this mean the QB competition is no longer open? Bigtegan: Wish him well whatever he decides to do. Kinda surprised consid- ering ND put all their eggs in his basket last season, got burned and then bring in an option that he could really learn from, which he hasn't had in his career so far, and he's still unhappy? I'm sorry bud, but nobody can control your body. He has every opportunity to be the guy for 2 years after this season at ND as well. Kinda disappointed in him for this decision. bmkhoward: Love Tyler and wish him nothing but the best. Phenomenal kid. I hope he comes back to ND because if [Sam] Hartman gets hurt this year, chalk the whole season. Lol. NDMatt82: I hope the young man finds his place in this world. God bless. Irish Slab: I'd straight up bet that Angeli ends up having a better CFB career than [Buchner]. Domer72: Sad to see but makes perfect sense. He's ready to start almost anywhere this fall. Also, you have [CJ] Carr arriving as an early enrollee next spring. Irishchef3: Damn! I get why he would leave, but Tyler is someone I thought would value that ND degree. I hope he stays, but putting out a statement probably means he is gone! Whatever happens ND did the right thing bring- ing in Hartman. Buchner still would have two years of eligibility in 2024, 2025 to start, but kids do not have the patience anymore. Charlestonirish25: Ooh, boy, this will be a fun week. I won't say I'm happy about it, but I will be relieved not to live in the Buchner vs. new transfer world all over again next winter. Picking a #2 is now all-important for reps. Ryanb28: I hope he stays at least for this year. He can always transfer next year and have two years to play. Sad to see what college football is becoming. zznd1: Explore options??? So … if teams like Bowling Green, Buffalo and Southwest Louisiana State are the quality/type of teams that express interest in him, he may opt out and come back to Notre Dame?? Something doesn't feel right about that. It's like your girlfriend telling you that she loves you and still wants to go out with you — but only after she tries dating a few other guys over the next month or two. What the heck??? TenaciousND: That [going to Alabama] would be a stupid decision on his part. It's hardly a guarantee that he would win the job down there and will probably be recruited or transferred over within a year. Could have stuck here and had QB1 in his pocket for '24 and '25. Raphael9: If he was good enough to be the starter at Alabama, don't you think either Tommy stays to have him as his QB, or at the very least, doesn't recruit Hartman to transfer? I may be in the minority, but I'd like to see him return. Slevmania: It's only sad because we can't keep up. Texas A&M and Bama fans could give a ****. In fact, they probably find the whole portal thing entertaining. ND will have to make major changes if the portal remains the same. YippeeKiYay: ND QB recruiting/performance has been less than stellar for the last decade so here's to hoping that things take off in the right direction under Freeman. It's been the main point of weakness under Kelly. (Along with WR.) apegambino: We got to have Hartman look really good this year because we will be right back in the portal next season. Thought Buchner would've stuck it out and still have a pretty clear path to start in 2024 and 2025, but it is what it is. Jaybird173: Had such high hopes for Buchner after the video game num- bers he put up high school. Just never could find the consistency needed to be THE MAN at ND. Good luck to him wherever he lands. .com .com After being outplayed by graduate student Sam Hartman in the Blue-Gold Game April 22, junior quarterback Tyler Buchner entered the transfer por- tal April 25 and announced his departure to Alabama two days later. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER JOIN THE CONVERSATION FOR ONLY $29.99 WITH PREMIUM ACCESS UNTIL 8/31/23 BE HEARD! Send your letters to: Letters, Blue & Gold Illustrated, P. O. Box 1007, Notre Dame, IN 46556 or e-mail to: sdowney@comanpub.com FROM THE WEBSITE