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Notre Dame Football QB situation ranked in top-20 by ESPN

By Brad Weiss

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Jack Coan #17 of the Wisconsin Badgers throws a pass against the Oregon Ducks during the first half in the Rose Bowl game presented by Northwestern Mutual at Rose Bowl on January 01, 2020 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Jack Coan #17 of the Wisconsin Badgers throws a pass against the Oregon Ducks during the first half in the Rose Bowl game presented by Northwestern Mutual at Rose Bowl on January 01, 2020 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) /
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The Notre Dame football program had the luxury of having Ian Book as their starting quarterback the last three years, as he led the team to at least ten wins in each contest. Along the way, Book became the all-time winningest quarterback in program history, a testament to his consistency and leadership under center.

As the calendar turns to the 2021 college football season, Book is gone, as he made himself eligible for the 2021 NFL Draft this April. In his place, Brian Kelly looked to a graduate transfer to hopefully bridge the gap, bringing in Jack Coan, most recently of the University of Wisconsin.

With Coan under center, the Badgers made it to a Big Ten title game, as he showed himself to be a very accurate passer running that Wisconsin offense. If he does win the starting job in South Bend, he will be leading an offense with a brand new offensive line, and questions at wide receiver, so the Notre Dame football program needs the absolute best version of him.

Looking ahead, the Notre Dame football program is in a good spot at the quarterback position, according to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg.

Notre Dame football has a top-20 quarterback situation

In the piece, which is an ESPN+ article, Rittenberg lays out the top-25 schools in the country in terms of the quarterback spot. This piece was to look at the next three seasons for each school, and the Irish were tabbed as the No. 16-ranked program in the country when it comes to the most important position in all of football, no matter the level.

Rittenberg points to after the 2021 season being the most intriguing in the piece.

"The more intrigue here could be beyond 2021. Brendon Clark and Drew Pyne both are familiar with coordinator Tommy Rees’ offense and have multiple years of eligibility left. And much-anticipated recruit Tyler Buchner is finally on campus."

Rittenberg is right, as it remains to be seen what the program will get out of Clark and Pyne, and if Buchner is good enough to step onto campus and lead this program. He is the future of this team, and after missing the 2020 high school season due to COVID-19 protocol in the state of California, he is coming in a bit more green than a normal true freshman.

Next. Notre Dame Football: 3 biggest questions for Irish on offense in 2021. dark

Last year, the Irish were ranked No. 7 on this list, so there are definitely question marks heading into the 2021 campaign. How good is Coan? Is Buchner the real deal? These are all legitimate questions heading into next season, making this spring and fall crucial to the future of the Notre Dame football program.

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