Notre Dame's Drew Pyne Is The Ultimate Point Guard Quarterback

Tommy Rees praised quarterback Drew Pyne for his steady play, energy and leadership, but he can also make plays

Bryan Driskell | Apr 23, 2021

When former Wisconsin transfer quarterback Jack Coan announced his plans to head to Notre Dame it seemed he was a lock to get the starting job. While that might still be true, the reality is Coan is going to have to work incredibly hard and play very well from now until September 5 to win the job.

The reason for that is the presence of sophomore quarterback Drew Pyne, who has battled for the starting job all spring, and that battle isn’t close to being over. Pyne is often overlooked by some because he lacks the elite size you look for in a top quarterback, he’s not a dynamic runner and he doesn’t have a cannon for an arm.

What is overlooked about Pyne is that he is, as I like to call him, the ultimate point guard quarterback. He’s a wicked smart quarterback with a quick release and top-notch accuracy, and if you put playmakers around him he'll get the ball where it needs to go, and do it impressively. But that’s not all he brings to the table.

“Drew, from the moment he stepped in here last year until now has been just an absolute burst of energy for the group,” offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tommy Rees said of his sophomore signal caller. “He sets the tone in terms of the way he is vocal, brings energy, not just to the quarterback group but to the rest of the offense. The joy to play this game is evident every time you watch Drew.”

Leadership and attitude are areas where Pyne has earned praise from the moment he arrived in South Bend, but let’s be honest, you don’t - or shouldn’t - win the starting job because you have a great attitude and have fun playing the game. Those are nice intangibles, but they are not the reason Pyne is battling hard for the starting job at Notre Dame.

Pyne can make plays.

“He’s a steady player, he understands the most important thing to do as a quarterback is to put the offense in good plays and to move the ball,” Rees explained. “That’s his strength right now. that’s something that we’re going to continue to build on. It feels like he’s a veteran, but he’s only been here a year, so there’s still a little bit of a learning curve, there’s still some things we’re trying to get fixed with him, but in terms of being efficient and making the offense go he’s done a great job with that.”

The battle is far from over, and there’s work for all the quarterbacks to do between now and when the Fighting Irish head to Tallahassee to kick off the season against the Florida State Seminoles. If Coan wins the job it means he performed very, very well, because if he isn’t Pyne will be ready to take over and do what he’s always done, prove doubters wrong.

Notre Dame 2021 Spring Football Roster
Notre Dame Announces Spring Football Schedule
Notre Dame Blue-Gold Game Announced

To comment below be sure to sign up for a FREE Disqus account, which you can get HERE.

———————

Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content, our premium message board and gets you a FREE subscription to Sports Illustrated! Click on the link below for more

BECOME A MEMBER

Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!

Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Follow me on Twitter: @CoachD178
Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook

Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter

Published Apr 23, 2021

BRYAN DRISKELL

Bryan Driskell is the publisher of Irish Breakdown and has been covering Notre Dame football for over a decade. A former college football player and coach, Bryan and Irish Breakdown bring a level of expertise and analysis that is unmatched. From providing in depth looks at the Fighting Irish, breaking news stories and honest recruiting analysis, Irish Breakdown has everything Notre Dame football fans want and need. Bryan was previous a football analyst for Blue & Gold Illustrated before launching Irish Breakdown. He coached college football at Duquesne University, Muhlenberg College, Christopher Newport University, Wittenberg University and Defiance College. During his coaching career he was a pass game coordinator, recruiting coordinator, quarterbacks coach, running backs coach and wide receivers coach. Bryan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Salisbury University, where he played quarterback for the Sea Gulls. You can email Bryan at bryan@irishbreakdown.com. Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more. BECOME A MEMBER Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time! Follow Bryan on Twitter: @CoachD178Like and follow Irish Breakdown on FacebookSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channelSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter