Notre Dame’s quarterback room will look even more different than expected in 2023. Not just because transfer Sam Hartman enters as the projected starter or because Drew Pyne left for Arizona State, but because a veteran backup signal-caller has retired due to a medical reason.
Ron Powlus III has medically retired from the Notre Dame football team. Powlus spent the last two seasons on Notre Dame’s bench, and with the talent brought in at the position (Hartman and freshman Kenny Minchey), he wasn’t expected to compete for playing time this year or next.
According to Blue and Gold Illustrated, the retirement of Powlus means a walk-on freshman that Marcus Freeman hadn’t even met until Wednesday morning is now the fifth rostered quarterback.
Powlus III, who played high school football locally at Penn, will almost certainly remain close to the Notre Dame program as his father, former Notre Dame quarterback Ron Powlus, remains a senior associate athletic director.
All the best to the younger Ron going forward.