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Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Irish Get Their 2020 Quarterback

By Carlee North

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on the sidelines during the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on November 14, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish won 28-7. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on the sidelines during the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on November 14, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish won 28-7. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame football got a huge verbal commitment from Drew Pyne today.

Looks like Notre Dame football now has its 2020 quarterback! Drew Pyne out of Connecticut has committed to the Irish. Pyne was just on campus this past week and clearly that made another big impression on him. He’s been to South Bend several times and this visit was the one that made him officially pull the trigger.

He also was joined by his cousin on campus, 2020 five-star offensive lineman Kevin Pyne — who the Irish are extremely high on.

Pyne already has 24 offers as a sophomore, most notably from Alabama, Florida State, Oklahoma and Penn State. That list alone just speaks for itself and shows just how many big-time programs wanted him this early in the process.

According to 247Sports, Pyne is the No. 7 pro-style quarterback and No. 220 prospect overall nationally, which I expect to change drastically. I’d be shocked if he’s not one of the top-rated quarterbacks in the country when it’s all said and done.

As a sophomore, Pyne completed 64 percent of his passes for over 2,300 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 INTs. He also added over 400 rushing yards.

What will he bring to South Bend?

The 6-1, 175 pound quarterback has one of the best arms I’ve seen on tape for a sophomore. I’m not saying he has elite arm strength, because he still has room to improve there. That said, his release — along with his throwing motion — is outstanding for a sophomore. When you look for a quarterback, you want them to be a natural and have the “it” factor about them. That’s exactly what he has.

Pyne was born to be a quarterback.

One of the most impressive things when I watch his film is how top-notch his fundamentals and awareness in the pocket are while commanding his offense.

And I’ll mention this again — he’s only a sophomore!

Obviously he’ll need to add some mass and grow into his frame a little bit, but he’s only 16. Outside of that, he’s got everything you want in a quarterback for Notre Dame.

Notre Dame QB coach Tom Rees got this one done. The Irish lost out on 2019 quarterback recruit Cade McNamara and are still in search mode for at 2019 guy at the position. This was big for Rees and the staff, allowing them to get a jump on the next recruiting class.

Looking at the possible future depth chart for the Irish — with Wimbush gone by 2020, Avery Davis looking at a position change to WR/RB, Ian Book probably being in his last year, and incoming freshman Phil Jurkovec in year-two — this was absolutely huge.

I am one of the many people who are extremely high on Jurkovec coming in and now with Drew Pyne now on board for 2020, I don’t see how the Irish won’t have some of the best quarterbacks in the country for the forseeable future.

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