Did Notre Dame football overvalue Sam Hartman during the offseason?

Bad Sam Hartman showed up too often this season for Notre Dame football

One of the biggest arguments for Notre Dame football to be a contender with Hartman was that he’d be playing with more talent. While that might be true for the offensive line and running back, Notre Dame does not have a receiver the caliber of A.T. Perry or Jacquarii Roberson. Despite playing behind a better offensive line and running game, Hartman came to South Bend with bad habits.

Hartman has a tendency to throw interceptions in bunches. All seven of Hartman’s interceptions came in one four-game stretch. He threw those picks against Clemson, Pitt, and Louisville ( he did not turn the ball over against USC). Notre Dame went 2-2 during that stretch.

Hartman had a similar four-game stretch in 2022. He threw eight interceptions against Boston College, Louisville, North Carolina State, and North Carolina. In 2021, Hartman had a five-game stretch where he threw 11 interceptions, including a four-interception game against Pitt.

The positive of having Sam Hartman at Notre Dame football was that he’s a veteran who can absorb an offense and has played a lot of football. The negative of having Sam Hartman at Notre Dame is that he’s a veteran who has played a lot of football. He is who he is as a quarterback.

That’s a good thing, too. It’s not a “get you to the College Football Playoff” thing.