Notre Dame freshman QB Blake Hebert bent on taking a front-burner approach
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The way Notre Dame freshman Blake Hebert processes being the fourth alternative in a three-QB race this spring is anything but a back-burner mentality.
And through the first three practices of the 15 the Irish will stage this spring, reality has pretty much synched up with that.
“I’m getting a good number of reps actually, and every rep I’m trying to do my best,” Hebert said after a recent Irish practice. “Obviously, mistakes are coming. I’m new here. I’m new to a lot of the concepts that we’re running. So, if mistakes are happening, I’m just going to make them at full speed.
“Every day I'm attacking it with the same mentality. Just competing against myself, trying to get better. So, that's how I'm thinking about it.”
Related Content
► How Kenny Minchey is making case in Notre Dame football QB competition
► Why it may be time for Steve Angeli as starting QB for Notre Dame football
► Stronger CJ Carr focuses on daily messages in Notre Dame football QB battle
► Gritty Miles points the way as Notre Dame WBB thunders into the Sweet 16
► What Will Pauling believes Notre Dame WRs coach Mike Brown can do for him
And given that the transfer portal opens one last time this offseason for football — April 16-25 — it’s entirely possible Hebert will open the season Aug. 31 in Miami as the No. 3 Irish quarterback option, if not No. 2, once the pecking order among contenders to be the Notre Dame starter becomes clear to senior Steve Angeli, junior Kenny Minchey and sophomore CJ Carr.
And that’s whether or not Marcus Freeman announces 2024 starter Riley Leonard's successor to the world before August training camp, which has been his preferred timeline in quarterback derbies.
“They're all working their tails off,” Hebert said of the QBs directly competing to be No. 1. “I can see it. They're getting better every day. And they're honestly really helping me out. I'm the new guy just trying to really get my feet underneath me.
“So, they've been doing a great job just helping me and being patient. I'm trying to learn it all, you know? So I've been asking them a lot of questions. They've done a great job getting it back to me.”
And the 6-foot-2, 223-pound Hebert did a great job of getting a head start.
By mutual decision, he ended up as one of four ultra-early enrollees who came to ND in December, rather than mid-January, and filled scout team roles in practice for the last three legs of Notre Dame’s four-game College Football Playoff run.
Linebacker Madden Faraimo and safeties JaDon Blair and Ethan Long — the latter a high school teammate of Hebert’s at the Brunswick School in Greenwich, Conn., this past season — were the other three.
“I'll say the two main things are just taking reps against the starting defense, and then also seeing a game prep,” Hebert said of the benefits. “Especially for these high-caliber games, in the classroom and in the film room. That's the two main things for me.
“I mean, they're the best defense in the country, right?” he said of his daily competition. “But at the end of the day, it's football, just at a higher speed. I would say absolutely it's a different level, and it was awesome.”
Actually Hebert has been bumping up the speed quotient and competition level fairly constantly over the past several years.
At age 14, the British Columbia native and his family left Canada to move to the U.S. as they sought a steeper learning curve and better opportunities for the son of Arena Football League QB Ricky Hebert.
They settled in Massachusetts, where Ricky played football at NCAA Division II American International College and mom Carmen played soccer for the same school. Blake played his first three high school seasons at Lawrence (Mass.) Central Catholic and overlapped there for a year with ND junior linebacker Preston Zinter.
After missing most of his junior season with an ankle fracture, Blake Hebert took another step up in competition and enrolled at Brunswick, the alma mater of ND athletic director Pete Bevacqua, where Hebert teamed up with Long and January-enrolled freshman Matty Augustine, an offensive tackle.
Hebert initially verbally committed to Clemson in the summer of 2023, but flipped his commitment to ND 16 months later, in mid-October of 2024, after fellow four-star prospect Deuce Knight reneged on his Irish pledge and jumped into Auburn’s class late in the recruiting cycle.
“I came on one visit here, and we had a lot of phone calls beforehand in June of '23,” Hebert said. “So, we had gotten really tight just over those phone calls over that visit. That bond kind of lasted the year I guess, just without any communication. And then when they reached out, it kind of rekindled it.
“My first visit, I came that summer, obviously not a whole lot of people were here. Initially I loved it. It's just Notre Dame. Anybody would tell you just the history behind it and the success in the program, the coaching staff is great.
“But now getting here, it's lived up to all that and more.”
And now Hebert is trying to live up to his own expectations for himself.
Part of that process is doing what Leonard did last October during ND’s first bye week — making a concerted effort to understand the “whys” in offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s play-calling process and deciphering the playbook by getting to know the man who scripted it.
“Great man and great coach,” Hebert said. “Very cerebral. I'm just starting to kind of get into his head and see his thought process and why he's calling different things.
“But again, it's spring ball and we're kind of just running stuff to run it, just to rep it, and get the repetitions in. But he's a great coach, and I could see him helping this offense extraordinarily.”
As for Leonard, Hebert hopes to stay in touch with the now NFL-aspiring QB, who will be back on campus this week for ND’s Pro Day on Thursday in front of NFL scouts, coaches and personnel types.
“A great dude,” Hebert said. “His play on the field speaks for itself. I could go on about that. But just how he is off the field and behind closed doors, he's an awesome man. I know he's going to do great things at the next level.
“I think I could definitely take certain pieces of his game, his personality and implement them into mine. But at the end of the day, I'm Blake, I'm not Riley or I'm not anybody else.”
• Talk with Notre Dame fans on The Insider Lounge.
• Subscribe to the Inside ND Sports podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Podbean or Pocket Casts.
• Subscribe to the Inside ND Sports channel on YouTube.
• Follow us on Twitter: @insideNDsports, @EHansenND and @TJamesND.
• Like us on Facebook: Inside ND Sports
• Follow us on Instagram: @insideNDsports
Topics
-
Notre Dame fencer takes gold
Notre Dame's Chase Emmer wins his first titleYahoo Sports - 3d -
Notre Dame takes national fencing title
Notre Dame has yet another fencing titleYahoo Sports - 2d -
Watch highlights of each of the Notre Dame QB’s who are competing for the starting job
Watch highlights of each of Notre Dame football’s quarterback who are battling it out for who will win the starting position.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Timetable for picking Notre Dame football's new QB? Marcus Freeman won't fall into that trap
Notre Dame QB Steve Angeli has resisted the zeitgeist that would have suggested he book a one-way transfer ticket out of town by now.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
From CFP final to Blue-Gold Game, Notre Dame football tweaks its approach to spring practice
Notre Dame football's spring game dates to 1929 and was the brainchild of legendary coach Knute Rockne.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Clemson takes down Notre Dame behind Aidan Knaak's career-high strikeout performance
Clemson takes down Notre Dame behind a 12-strikeout performance from Aidan Knaak.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Young QB CJ Carr hopes to know Notre Dame football offense like the back of his hand
Healthy again after a late September elbow injury last fall, Notre Dame QB CJ Carr can feel the game slowing down for him again.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Meet Owen Strebig, Notre Dame football's latest towering offensive tackle
Like former Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt, now starring in the NFL, could 6-8 freshman Owen Strebig keep growing during his college career?Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Stronger CJ Carr focuses on daily messages in Notre Dame football QB battle
The sophomore-to-be is the most buzzworthy member of a three-headed quarterback competition at Notre Dame that’s two spring football practices into a battle that likely won’t be decided until ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Notre Dame baseball salvages weekend with a Sunday road victory over No. 10 Clemson
Notre Dame baseball was potentially going to get swept by No. 10 Clemson on Sunday, but they battled to take the series finale.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
Hidalgo, No. 6 Notre Dame take over down stretch to beat Cal 73-64 in ACC quarterfinals
Hannah Hidalgo scored 25 points and No. 6 Notre Dame took over down the stretch to beat California 73-64 in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference TournamentABC News - Mar. 7 -
March Madness: Hannah Hidalgo scored 21 as No. 3 seed Notre Dame routs Michigan 76-55 in 2nd round
Notre Dame rollsYahoo Sports - 2d -
Notebook: The vague and the verifiable of Notre Dame's QB competition
Also items on spring changes in size, position in uniform numbers; success leads to spring restructuring, and moreYahoo Sports - 6d -
Analyzing, annotating and handicapping Notre Dame's upcoming QB-apalooza
A healthy CJ Carr, an experienced Steve Angeli, a wild card in Kenny Minchey — and prediction of how it will end upYahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Why it may be time for Steve Angeli as starting QB for Notre Dame football
Steve Angeli has significant advantage with experience. Will all his other traits be enough to win the job?Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Football Never Sleeps: Early spring impressions of Notre Dame's QBs
Watch Eric Hansen and Tyler James on YouTube for the latest edition of "Football Never Sleeps."Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Chat Transcript: Is three a crowd when it comes to Notre Dame's QB race?
Also dishing on what's next for the O-line, recruiting concerns/optimism, sizing up Devan Houstan's flip and some WBBYahoo Sports - 15h -
Selection committee head explains why Notre Dame dropped to No. 3 seed
Does it make sense to you why Notre Dame was seeded where it was?Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17 -
Notre Dame's Jadin O'Brien is a three-time champ
Notre Dame's Jadin O'Brien shatters records while winning third-straight pentathlonYahoo Sports - Mar. 15 -
Podcast: Kate Koval on freshman season, preparing for NCAA Tournament
March Madness and spring football have arrived on Notre Dame’s campus. Then the third-seeded women’s basketball team will host Stephen F. Austin on Friday in the first round of the NCAA ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 18 -
Notre Dame guard, South Bend native J.R. Konieczny in transfer portal
Another Irish player will take his talents elsewhere.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
You can now see colorized footage of Knute Rockne coaching Notre Dame
You can now see Knute Rockne coach Notre Dame in color.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17 -
Ten notable offers from Notre Dame's Pot of Gold Day event
Notre Dame offered four-star slot receiver Julius Jones at its Pot of Gold event.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17 -
Notre Dame's Pot of Gold Day still resonates with recruits
Notre Dame has a yearly tradition now of flooding the zone with offers to underclassmen on St. Patrick's Day.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Pot of Gold Day Recap: Notre Dame offers several Northeast prospects
Monday was "Pot of Gold Day" for Notre Dame, and the Fighting Irish sent out offers to many prospects.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Watch: Highlights from Notre Dame football’s first spring practice of 2025
Watch some of Notre Dame’s defensive linemen, tight ends, wide receivers, quarterbacks and running backs in action.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Notre Dame fans spread powerful, uplifting message during tournament tilt
Notre Dame fans grouped together with the message "Everybody Watches Women's Sports" during the first round of the 2025 NCAA TournamentYahoo Sports - 4d -
Notre Dame women's basketball is sold out versus Michigan
Notre Dame against Michigan in South Bend in the NCAA Tournament is sold out on Sunday. That's March Madness 2025.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Happy Anniversary!: Remembering one of the greatest nights in Notre Dame basketball history
Notre Dame basketball turned the Atlantic Coast Conference on its collective head 10 years ago Friday by capturing the league tournament championshipYahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Michigan State defeats Notre Dame, moves on to Big Ten Tournament championship
Michigan State hockey is moving on to the Big Ten Tournament championship game after defeating Notre Dame on home ice, 1-0Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
Notre Dame men’s basketball star Austin Carr’s legend still lives on
Former Notre Dame men’s basketball star Austin Carr still has his name all along the top individual scoring charts in the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
Notre Dame football recruiting update ahead of “Pot of Gold Day”
A quick recap of what happened this weekend for Notre Dame football recruiting, ahead of a busy day on Monday for its annual “Pot of Gold Day.”Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17 -
Is it already time for Notre Dame football to be back on the field for spring practice?
Didn't the 2024 college football season just end like, last week? Ready or not, Notre Dame football is back to work this week for spring practiceYahoo Sports - 6d -
Friday was a first in March Madness for this veteran Notre Dame women's basketball player
Notre Dame women's basketball finally returned to the court as Irish opened March Madness with a first-round tournament game against Stephen F. AustinYahoo Sports - 4d -
Gritty Miles points the way as Notre Dame WBB thunders into the Sweet 16
Irish point guard shakes off an ankle injury and 3 seed Notre Dame overwhelms 6 seed Michigan, 76-55 on SundayYahoo Sports - 2d -
Another former Notre Dame player is headed to the Chicago Bears
Former Notre Dame football safety Nick McCloud has signed a free agent deal with the Chicago Bears, making another former Irish player they signed.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Notre Dame is trying to flip a FSU commitment, will be on campus today
Notre Dame football is looking to flip 2026 Florida State safety commit Karon Maycock, who will be on campus later to day for an unofficial visit.Yahoo Sports - 23h -
Deepest QB rooms in college football: Alabama, Notre Dame among teams comfortable on talent entering season
Fewer teams than ever have talented backups willing to wait their turnsCBS Sports - Mar. 10 -
College football QB battles to watch in spring: Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan among contenders in focus
Several College Football Playoff contenders are among the teams with high-profile battles at quarterbackCBS Sports - 18h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
How to watch MLB Opening Day 2025: full schedule, where to stream every game and more
MLB's Opening Day is earlier than ever this year, here's everything you need to know about how to watch.,Yahoo Sports - 51m -
How to watch MLB Opening Day 2025: full schedule, where to stream every game and more
MLB's Opening Day is earlier than ever this year, here's everything you need to know about how to watch.,Yahoo Sports - 51m -
Andy Farrell assisted by 3 Ireland coaches for Lions tour of Australia but no Welsh representation
Andy Farrell will be assisted by coaches from the national teams of Ireland, Scotland and England for the British & Irish Lions' nine-game tour of Australia starting in June. It means Wales, which ...Yahoo Sports - 54m -
Andy Farrell assisted by 3 Ireland coaches for Lions tour of Australia but no Welsh representation
Andy Farrell will be assisted by coaches from the national teams of Ireland, Scotland and England for the British & Irish Lions' nine-game tour of Australia starting in June. It means Wales, which ...Yahoo Sports - 54m -
NFL mock draft 2025: AI predicts the entire first round
USA TODAY Sports had Microsoft Copilot predict the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. The chatbot's mock had some surprising selections and omissions.Yahoo Sports - 56m
More in Sports
-
How to watch MLB Opening Day 2025: full schedule, where to stream every game and more
MLB's Opening Day is earlier than ever this year, here's everything you need to know about how to watch.,Yahoo Sports - 51m -
How to watch MLB Opening Day 2025: full schedule, where to stream every game and more
MLB's Opening Day is earlier than ever this year, here's everything you need to know about how to watch.,Yahoo Sports - 51m -
Andy Farrell assisted by 3 Ireland coaches for Lions tour of Australia but no Welsh representation
Andy Farrell will be assisted by coaches from the national teams of Ireland, Scotland and England for the British & Irish Lions' nine-game tour of Australia starting in June. It means Wales, which ...Yahoo Sports - 54m -
Andy Farrell assisted by 3 Ireland coaches for Lions tour of Australia but no Welsh representation
Andy Farrell will be assisted by coaches from the national teams of Ireland, Scotland and England for the British & Irish Lions' nine-game tour of Australia starting in June. It means Wales, which ...Yahoo Sports - 54m -
NFL mock draft 2025: AI predicts the entire first round
USA TODAY Sports had Microsoft Copilot predict the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. The chatbot's mock had some surprising selections and omissions.Yahoo Sports - 56m