Drew Pyne Again Transfers and A Look Back at Notre Dame’s 2022 Season
Drew Pyne’s decision to transfer once again has added yet another chapter to what has been a whirlwind college football career. The talented quarterback, who initially arrived at Notre Dame as a highly regarded recruit, has found himself navigating a path that includes a tumultuous 2022 season at the university, followed by a subsequent transfer to Arizona State. His journey has sparked significant attention, both for his potential and the nature of his departure from a program that once had big expectations for him. As Pyne heads off to another institution, it’s worth looking back at his time at Notre Dame, especially the 2022 season, which was a pivotal and tumultuous period for both him and the Fighting Irish program.
Pyne’s story at Notre Dame began with promise. As a highly rated recruit out of New Canaan, Connecticut, he was seen as a future cornerstone for the Fighting Irish offense. He arrived at Notre Dame in 2020 and found himself on the depth chart behind Ian Book, one of the most successful quarterbacks in the program’s history. Pyne spent his first couple of seasons primarily as a backup, learning from Book and working to develop his skills. By the time the 2022 season arrived, many saw Pyne as the natural successor to Book, given that Notre Dame had moved on from their longtime starter.
However, things didn’t go as smoothly as anticipated for Pyne, and the 2022 season became a turning point in his career. Despite expectations that he might take the reins of the offense and lead Notre Dame to a successful season, Pyne struggled to establish himself as the clear leader under center. The year began with a mixture of excitement and concern for Notre Dame fans, as the team had high aspirations under first-year head coach Marcus Freeman. Freeman, who had taken over from the highly successful Brian Kelly, had big plans to turn the program into a perennial contender. But the early part of the 2022 season revealed a team in transition, especially on offense.
Pyne was thrust into the starting role early in the season, following an injury to the initially starting quarterback, Tyler Buchner. With Buchner sidelined, Pyne stepped in as the primary signal-caller for the Fighting Irish. In his first significant playing time, Pyne had moments of brilliance but was also plagued by inconsistency. The offensive line, which was supposed to be a strength of the team, underperformed early in the season, and Pyne was often forced to make plays while under pressure. His mobility and ability to keep plays alive were important assets, but his struggles with accuracy and decision-making at times held the offense back.
Pyne’s performances in 2022 were a mixture of highs and lows. At times, he displayed the poise and skill that made him a highly touted recruit. He had a strong performance in Notre Dame’s big win over Syracuse, where he led the offense to a commanding victory, throwing for 2 touchdowns and showing his ability to perform in big moments. But just as quickly, there were games where Pyne seemed to falter under the pressure, notably in Notre Dame’s loss to Marshall. It was during these inconsistent stretches that questions began to emerge about his long-term potential as the starting quarterback.
Despite the challenges Pyne faced in 2022, his performance was not without merit. He finished the season with over 2,000 yards passing, 22 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, showing that he could still be a productive quarterback in a power-five conference. However, those statistics also came with some caveats. Notre Dame’s offense as a whole was not as explosive as many had hoped, and there were struggles in the passing game that held back the team. The offense lacked the ability to consistently stretch the field, and Pyne’s inability to elevate his play when it was needed most became a point of concern.
The 2022 season for Notre Dame was not solely defined by Pyne’s performances. It was a year in which the team underwent significant changes under Freeman’s leadership. The Fighting Irish entered the season ranked inside the top 10 but quickly found themselves on a roller-coaster ride, experiencing both promising victories and disappointing losses. The loss to Marshall, in particular, was a painful moment for both the players and the fans, as it illustrated the growing pains of a team under a new coach trying to find its identity. Although the team did manage to finish the season on a high note with a victory in the Gator Bowl, there were still many questions about how Notre Dame would move forward, especially at the quarterback position.
As the 2022 season came to a close, the future of the program seemed uncertain, and Pyne’s role in it became even more unclear. After the season, Pyne opted to enter the transfer portal, making it clear that he would not be returning to Notre Dame for a fifth season. This decision shocked some fans but was seen as understandable given the changing dynamics at quarterback. With Tyler Buchner returning from injury and Notre Dame recruiting highly regarded quarterbacks, including five-star prospect Dante Moore, Pyne likely saw that his path to the starting job was not as clear as it had once been. In a competitive college football landscape, where playing time and the chance to compete for championships are top priorities, Pyne decided to seek a fresh start elsewhere.
His transfer to Arizona State marked a new chapter in his career. Arizona State, which had undergone its own changes with the hiring of new head coach Kenny Dillingham, offered Pyne a new opportunity to showcase his abilities in a different program. Dillingham, who had previously worked as an offensive coordinator at multiple schools, was seen as a coach who could potentially maximize Pyne’s talents in a different system. For Pyne, this move was a chance to reset, to find a place where he could once again be the leader of an offense and work with a coaching staff that could help him refine his skills.
Looking back at Pyne’s 2022 season at Notre Dame, it’s clear that there were both promising and disappointing aspects to his tenure as the starting quarterback. While he was able to lead the team to several victories and showed flashes of the talent that made him a coveted recruit, he also struggled at times with consistency. Notre Dame’s offense, as a whole, was unable to find a rhythm at times, and Pyne’s struggles were a reflection of that larger issue. The season ultimately ended on a positive note with the Gator Bowl win, but it was also a reminder of how much more the Fighting Irish needed to improve if they were to truly compete at the highest level.
For Notre Dame, Pyne’s departure leaves questions about the future of the quarterback position. With Buchner returning from injury and the program still focused on recruiting top-tier talent, including five-star quarterbacks, Notre Dame will likely continue its quest to find the right signal-caller who can lead the offense into the future. The 2022 season showed that there was potential on the roster, but it also underscored the challenges that Notre Dame faces in building a consistent, high-powered offense.
As for Pyne, his move to Arizona State presents a new opportunity to prove himself as a starting quarterback at a high level. Whether he will be able to turn his potential into consistent performance will be a major storyline for his career moving forward. His time at Notre Dame may have been marked by both flashes of brilliance and moments of struggle, but it ultimately provided him with invaluable experience that he can now build upon as he continues his football journey.
In the end, Drew Pyne’s story at Notre Dame is one of potential unfulfilled but also of perseverance. His 2022 season was a reflection of both the promise he showed and the challenges he faced, but it also highlighted the growth that comes from experiencing adversity. As he embarks on the next phase of his college football career, Pyne will carry with him the lessons learned during his time at Notre Dame, and while he won’t be returning to South Bend, his legacy as a Fighting Irish quarterback will be one of determination and grit.