Notre Dame QB Tyler Buchner to enter transfer portal

Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner plans on entering the NCAA transfer portal, according to a report from ESPN on Tuesday. The report stated that the redshirt sophomore will enter the portal with the willingness to return to the Irish if he doesn’t like his options. However, the former four-star prospect is expected to generate interest from several schools.

Buchner began last season as Notre Dame’s starting quarterback but lost his spot after suffering a shoulder injury during the Irish’s Week 2 loss to Marshall. He earned the start during Notre Dame’s 45-38 victory over South Carolina in the Gator Bowl, completing 18 of 33 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions. Over his three starts, Buchner completed 55.4% of his passes for 651 yards and three touchdowns with five interceptions. He also added 123 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

Buchner signed with Notre Dame as the No. 6 quarterback and No. 113 overall player in the 2021 class. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound San Diego native will have three years of eligibility at his next school.

Alabama is thought to be a potential landing spot as the Crimson Tide hired former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees this offseason and is looking for a replacement for starting quarterback Bryce Young. Alabama returns redshirt sophomore Jalen Milroe and redshirt freshman Ty Simpson, who both underwent up-and-down spring camps before struggling during the Crimson Tide’s spring game over the weekend.

Buchner competed with Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman this spring. While Hartman is expected to land the starting job, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has not ruled out Buchner as a possibility for the role, given his familiarity with the system.