Week 1 of the 2022 college football season gets off to a frantic start on Saturday, topped by No. 5 Notre Dame traveling to Columbus to take on No. 2 Ohio State under the lights.
It's a matchup between two of college football's most storied programs. And it's a game that will likely go a long way in shaping the College Football Playoff picture over the course of the season.
As it tends to happen, the spotlight will be fixed on each side's signal-callers. For the Buckeyes, their quarterback is a known commodity. C.J. Stroud has been touted for huge things in his redshirt sophomore season. He's the odds-on favorite for the Heisman Trophy entering the season.
By comparison, the Fighting Irish's new leader is shrouded in a bit of mystery. Taking the reins for Marcus Freeman's offense is Tyler Buchner, a player who racked up just 35 pass attempts in his first season in South Bend.
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For all the fireworks surrounding Saturday's affair, Notre Dame will need a solid showing from its youthful QB to give itself a chance to secure a momentous victory over the Buckeyes. Ian Book isn't walking through that door anymore.
Speaking of Buchner, here's everything you need to know about the talented teenager who hopes to add his name to the laundry list of Fighting Irish flamethrowers who have led the team to success.
Who is Tyler Buchner?
Tyler Buchner is Notre Dame's QB1 heading into the 2022 college football season. The sophomore didn't get a ton of game time in 2021, playing second fiddle to Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan.
However, Buchner came to the program with some real pedigree. The La Jolla, Calif., native earned plaudits at Helix Charter High School, establishing himself as one of the nation's best dual-threat QBs en route to a four-star rating, per 247 Sports.
Buchner, who was also one of the best high school lacrosse players in the country, took his talents to South Bend. And while he didn't play a ton, he did see the field in limited action. It was a mixed bag for Buchner, who showcased much of the lightning-in-a-bottle athleticism that made him such a touted prospect in high school.
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Buchner racked up 298 passing yards and three passing touchdowns as a freshman. He ran for an additional 336 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, flashing his speed and agility while offering a different skill set to Coan.
Not every freshman quarterback can be Caleb Williams. Some have all the skill, but just need time to put it all together. That looks to be the case for Buchner, who earned the starting nod for Freeman's squad in August.
QB1@tylerbuchner #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/QYR3nHSZ9p
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 13, 2022
"He's done a really good job since we named him starter of just continuing to be consistent,” Freeman said, per Irish Sports Daily. “That's what we're looking for out of him, that consistency, and I think there's a little bit of that confidence in the offense in terms of knowing who's the starting quarterback."
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With a host of talented veterans returning for 2022, including junior tight end Michael Mayer and junior running back Chris Tyree, Buchner will have a host of players to get involved in the offense.
That should help ease any nerves Buchner has, particularly early in the season.
“We’re really good up front,” said Buchner. “We have a lot of playmakers outside. I think our backs are really good. If I can get the ball out to those guys and let them make plays and we can continue to run the ball, I think our offense will be really good.”
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Correction: The headline of this article misidentified the player Tyler Buchner is replacing as Notre Dame's No. 1 quarterback. Buchner is replacing Jack Coan.
