Three downs: Should Notre Dame go after a transfer quarterback?

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On Sunday another domino for Notre Dame’s 2026 season fell, as it learned that quarterback Anthony Rezac will enter the transfer portal when it opens.

He is the second Irish quarterback to made that decision, following Kenny Minchey making the same decision last week. Notre Dame had to move former quarterback Tyler Buchner back to the position at times during this past season, showing there was some concern this fall.

There might be more now, but let’s take a look at if Notre Dame should make a move to add another quarterback by looking at three different points, and then making a choice if they will.

First down: Notre Dame’s current depth chart

Well it’s not great. At the current moment, there’s just CJ Carr and Blake Hebert on scholarship, with Noah Grubbs expected soon. If the Irish were preparing for a bowl game, he might be on campus already. There are also some murmurs of 2027 commit Teddy Jarrard reclassifying to the 2026 class, but we won’t know any more information on that until the final signing period.

There aren’t really options to sign another who is currently in the class, so don’t expect anything from Notre Dame in that area. Having three scholarship quarterbacks isn’t terrible, but it’s not ideal.

Second down: Transfer portal’s new rules

While there were some negatives with Notre Dame missing out on a bowl game, a positive is that the staff will have extra time to assess needs in the portal and make decisions on who to go after. Know who is leaving, and having a plan to adjust will be huge for the Irish, and now with Minchey and Rezac moving on, a play to add one very well could be made.

Third down: Notre Dame’s quarterbacking experience

Carr now has some, but Hebert nor Grubbs will have any, which may or may not be an issue. I’d tend to lean towards the current starter being the exception to the rule, as most first-year starters don’t put up numbers like he did.

Carr did have some issues with is throwing shoulder during his redshirt year, so there is some injury risk there. Banking on another young quarterback to have a seamless transition into a starting role isn’t something that you want to do.

Points or punt: Notre Dame will ….

Take a quarterback in the portal. There will be some caveats here, as the player won’t be expected to start, and will be more of a mentor to the younger players. This is where the Notre Dame degree will play a factor, as a graduate transfer that will help with depth might be the best way to lure a quarterback to South Bend. Taking another walk-on could be an idea as well, as could having one of the former quarterbacks move back. However, I do think in the end, Notre Dame takes a transfer.

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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Three downs: Should Notre Dame go after a transfer quarterback?

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