Story Poster
Photo by Andrew Aguilar
Notre Dame Football Recruiting

Tyler Buchner Made Headlines In '19, But '20 Could Be His Revenge Tour

December 5, 2019
9,294

It was a magical season for 2021 Bishop's School (Calif.) quarterback Tyler Buchner‍.

Every Notre Dame fan heard about it or saw it at some point in the year because it was that great. 

The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder completed 267-of-402 passes for 4,474 yards and 53 touchdowns. 

If that wasn't enough, Buchner ran 128 times for 1,610 yards and 28 more touchdowns. 

Quick math. 6,084 yards and 81 touchdowns in 13 games. Pretty good, right? 

Bishop's School offensive coordinator Danny Mitchell knows it was special season despite losing the CIF Championship 75-59 to El Camino.

"Rarely do you score 59 points in a game and lose," stated Mitchell. "It was an incredible season for not only this team, but specifically Tyler. It was like a storybook. I really think it's a storybook that will continue into next year. 

"We'll probably be in the exact same division and I think we have a shot. It's like he gets a revenge chance next year." 

The storybook reference comes from Buchner only playing four games as a sophomore. 

Some wondered what Notre Dame was getting in a quarterback as there was limited film due to his torn ACL. 

Those questions were answered three weeks into the year when Buchner went off for 760 total yards and nine touchdowns...in one game. 

"What Tyler did this year was phenomenal," explained Mitchell. "We had to of broken some kind of offensive record in San Diego. I know he's broken some national records. 

"It was the most fun I've ever had coaching. Even the championship game, I know we set some kind of record. We had more yards of offense than they did. It's hard to put into words how special this season was. El Camino proved they were the best team in San Diego, but for Tyler to dominate, it was pretty awesome." 

Over 6,000 yards in a season? Some question the competition level, but Mitchell has an answer for those who doubt the talents of his quarterback.

"If it was based on competition, then let's look at our schedule," Mitchell said. "The three top teams we played, Mater Dei, Poway and El Camino, all larger schools. Mater Dei is a private school likes us and they have 60 guys on their roster. Poway and El Camino are the largest schools in San Diego. 

"Tyler's best games were against those three schools. If you want to talk about when he has those big games, he had them on the biggest stage. He had 700 yards of offense in the championship (El Camino), he had six touchdowns against Poway and obviously, he set the record against Mater Dei. 

Just for the record:
Mater Dei Catholic: 465 passing yards and five touchdowns along with 295 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Poway: 444 yards passing with three touchdowns and 94 rushing yards with three more touchdowns.

El Camino: 296 passing yards and three touchdowns. 353 rushing yards and five touchdowns. 

"People who say they want to see him do it against good competition, that's who he does it against," said Mitchell. "Everyone else, he was done at halftime." 

Irish Sports Daily
Tyler Buchner at Notre Dame in 2018

Buchner arrived at Notre Dame in June of 2018 for summer camp. There was a little buzz around him as he had picked up several big offers prior to the visit. 

It took one throw for most to realize Notre Dame was going to offer.

"You've seen him in person," Mitchell stated. "People who see him in person, you realize this guy is different than everyone else. Those questions for the fans wondering about competition, just watch one play when he's there." 

"I remember one of his first offers when Alabama was out here. They watched him warmup and after his first throw, they were like 'Yep. We're going to offer.'

"He's good and as a runner, he's incredible." 

While Buchner put up video game numbers on the field, Mitchell saw growth from the junior signal-caller and it had nothing to do with stats.

"The biggest improvement to me, everyone sees the numbers, but it was his leadership," stated Mitchell. "He took full control of this team. That was always the question mark from when he was a freshman. There are a lot of guys with ability. There are a ton of guys who have a ton of talent and a select few who can do a lot of things Tyler does on the field. 

"What separates him is all between his ears. He runs our entire offense, but there are a total of 14 guys who played the entire game on Friday night. Of those 14, there are only 11 on the field. When he'd run on for offense, he's the one who has to make sure everyone is locked in and telling them they aren't slowing down on offense. 

"Those little things are so overlooked with numbers and with what you see on TV. That's what wins football games." 

Mitchell also believes life might get even easier in that area once Buchner arrives at Notre Dame. 

The most exciting thing for him is when he gets on the big stage, it's going to be even easier," Mitchell explained. "He's already having to run the show and then the other guys he will play with, they have their own jobs and they're going to do it. 

"Right now, he has to make sure his job is done and the other 10 guys on offense are doing their job too." 

How does a player improve on a season like Buchner had? Well, it starts with the smaller details. 

"One thing for him is to not feel like he's superman all the time," said Mitchell. "He has superman abilities, but for him, the biggest improvement will be when things aren't going exactly how he wants them to go. How is he going to matriculate the ball down the field?

"You see it on his film. He's so explosive. Part of playing quarterback is how does he make sure he's locked in each play and go one play at a time. How does he not make a bad play worse? He rarely gets in that position, but that's going to be a comfort thing and he's going to improve on that over the next year." 

Rick Kimball/ISD
Tyler Buchner

Perhaps the most interesting part of this story is Buchner is already itching to get back in the lab to have a bigger senior season. 

"He wants to be more accurate at times," Mitchell stated. "This is crazy. He texted right after the game on Friday. He had one of the best games ever in a CIF championship game. His first text to me was 'I have so much to improve on for next year. I can't wait to get going.'

"That's all he's thinking about. He wants to get better on the field." 

Mitchell also isn't worried about motivating Buchner. It might sound weird, but that's why the four-star quarterback is different than his peers and has the chance to be great.

"That's what makes him special," said Mitchell. "I don't have to challenge him at all. What he did this year puts enough of a challenge on himself. There are two other guys ever in the United States to do what he's done in the history of the game."

If anyone would know the mentality of the great ones, it's Mitchell. 

"He has that mentality," said Mitchell. "There is no peak to him. He has the same mindset as the great ones. Knowing and growing up next to Coach (Tom) Martinez coach Tom Brady. Tom Brady was the same way. I see the same mentality. 

"I was 18 or 19 when I watched Tom Brady when he was having those great years. I watched him train with Coach Martinez and he would come back all pissed off after great throw because he missed by a quarter inch. Tyler has the same mentality.

"If I had to push him, he wouldn't be the player he is right now." 

Junior Highlights

 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.