Former Notre Dame quarterback drafted by UFL Champion Birmingham Stallions in ninth round

The UFL heals their annual draft on Wednesday, continuing to bolster the spring league with talent. The league, which previously merged between the USFL and XFL, earned rave reviews this past season. Viewership was up, as were the compliments for the increased quality of play.

The draft is fun for football fans, hearing names that bring back great memories. Many of the players are currently on NFL rosters, which makes the whole process pretty interesting. One familiar name to Notre Dame fans was quarterback Sam Hartman , who was selected with the eighth selection in the ninth round by the Birmingham Stallions .

Hartman was a record setting quarterback for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons before playing with Notre Dame in his final year in 2023. In 60 games during his career, Hartman threw for 15,656 yards and 134 touchdowns. He also ran for another 20 touchdowns on the ground. Hartman finished third in D1 history with 134 touchdowns, tying former Texas Tech signal caller Graham Harrell. His passing yardage total finished fifth all time.

With that type of production, on top of opportunities to perform in the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl and 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, it appeared that Hartman was likely to be selected in the late rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft last April. Hartman’s name was never called. Instead, he signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent.

While not the path of highest confidence, Hartman’s long wait was rewarded with $245,000 guaranteed on his contract from the Commanders. That total was the highest of any undrafted free agent.

With that type of money given, there appears to be some optimism that Hartman could make the team when final cuts do come. The talented passer will be competing against Marcus Mariota and Jeff Driskel for an opportunity to stick as a backup behind Jayden Daniels.

From the Stallions' side, they are clearly projecting the possibility that Hartman doesn’t make the roster. There isn’t a clear need for the Stallions, who have won the last two league championships. They are led by former Nebraska and Kansas State quarterback Adrian Martinez, who won the league MVP this past season after throwing for 1,748 yards and 15 touchdowns. Martinez added another 528 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, averaging 9.8 yards per carry.

With the alternative leagues, turnover can happen so quickly. Players are always open to opportunities to move up to the NFL so roster construction is key. Hartman is the type of passer that could come in and compete early on, at least for a roster spot.