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Former Notre Dame QB Drew Pyne will return to finish degree

IMG_7504by: Jack Soble12/13/23jacksoble56
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Notre Dame quarterback Drew Pyne readies to throw a pass in a game on Nov. 19, 2022. (Icon Sportswire / Getty Images)

Former Irish quarterback Drew Pyne will return to Notre Dame for the spring semester in January, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. He will not play football in a blue and gold uniform or participate in spring practice, but he will finish his Notre Dame degree.

Blue & Gold’s Mike Singer can confirm Thamel’s report.

Thamel said that Pyne needs 15 credits to graduate with a degree in American Studies and a minor in business economics. Once he graduates in May, he will become a graduate transfer and be immediately eligible to join another program in June. He plans to continue his football program at that undetermined program.

According to Thamel, Pyne is expected to have three years of eligibility.

“I’ve decided to return to Notre Dame to earn my degree and finish what I started,” Pyne told Thamel. “It means I will fulfill a lifelong dream, and be part of that community forever, which was always very important to me.”

Singer was told that in this photo, first reported by NDTV, Pyne is the person sitting across from graduate quarterback Sam Hartman and next to sophomore quarterback Steve Angeli. Also clearly visible in this photo is former Notre Dame signal-caller Tyler Buchner, who will reportedly return to South Bend as well to play lacrosse with the Fighting Irish.

Pyne started 10 games for Notre Dame in 2022 after Buchner, who won the starting quarterback job out of fall camp, suffered a regular season-ending injury. He finished the season 164-of-254 with 2,021 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.

As a starter, Pyne went 8-2. He entered the transfer portal shortly after the end of the regular season. Notre Dame had set out to acquire a graduate transfer quarterback at that point, which turned out to be Hartman.

Buchner started the ensuing bowl game, which turned out to be the Gator Bowl. Notre Dame won that game, 45-38.

Pyne transferred to Arizona State for the 2023 season, where he lost a quarterback battle to true freshman Jaden Rashada. He started one game for the Sun Devils in place of an injured Rashada, a 42-23 loss to USC. In that game, Pyne went 23-of-36 for 221 yards, throwing 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.

The Trojans also sacked Pyne eight times. After that game, Arizona State shut Pyne down for the season due to subsequent injuries, but according to Thamel, he is expected to make a full recovery and apply for a medical redshirt.

Pyne entered the transfer portal on Dec. 1.