Notre Dame staff reportedly 'caught completely off guard' by Drew Pyne transfer decision

Notre Dame’s coaching staff was surprised to learn of Drew Pyne’s transfer decision, according to a report.

That’s per the South Bend Tribune’s Tom Noie, who notes that the timing of the announcement is what caught them “off guard.”

Source close to @NDFootball tells NDI that coaching staff was caught completely off guard by Drew Pyne announcement on transfer.

This was something that might happen down the road, like closer to spring. Not the second day of December.

— Tom Noie (@tnoieNDI) December 2, 2022

Pyne is not expected to play in Notre Dame’s bowl game. If Tyler Buchner isn’t recovered from his shoulder injury, that will leave true freshman Steve Angeli as the only healthy scholarship quarterback on the roster.

Pyne started 10 games for the Fighting Irish this season and led them to an 8-2 record in those contests. He didn’t win the starting job out of fall camp, but took over for Tyler Buchner after he suffered a season-ending injury back in September.

He had an up-and-down season, but ultimately helped Notre Dame turn its season around after an 0-2 start. He completed 64.6% of his passes for 2,021 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Notre Dame will presumably be active in the transfer portal to find another starting quarterback for next season. It’s also possible that Buchner and Angeli return. The Irish do have a commitment from 4-star QB Kenny Minchey in the class of 2023.

The transfer portal officially opens on Monday.