Notre Dame QB Dylan Devezin Preparing for Important Role in 2023
Dylan Devezin.
It’s a name some Notre Dame fans haven’t heard before and the Louisiana native isn’t getting offended as he wasn’t even on the team until the spring.
The Notre Dame staff is very aware of him and that’s the important piece to this story.
How aware?
Well, Devezin had been in contact with the coaching staff during his recruitment, but there wasn’t room for him. The St. Augustine High School (La.) alum spent last fall at Notre Dame as a regular student watching the games from the stands, but he continued to check in with the staff.
Tyler Buchner and Drew Pyne left the program, while Ron Powlus III had to step away due to medical reasons, which paved the way for Devezin to get the call.
“I came on an academic scholarship,” Devezin stated. “I was in touch with some of the coaches beforehand, but there was no roster spot open. I was a normal student for a semester and during spring training, there was a need at quarterback when guys left and I was lucky enough to get called in.”
The 6-foot-1, 222-pounder comes from a rich academic background as his graduating class (2022) at St. Augustine had every student accepted into college, including a combined $9.2 million in scholarship offers.
Devezin could have played ball at the Division III level as Belhaven College and Millsaps gave him an opportunity to continue his athletic career, but he understood the power of the Notre Dame degree and knew there was a chance he could get on the football team.
”St. Augustine is big on education,” said Devezin. “Every year, the connections get better and better. If it wasn’t for the connection with Notre Dame, I probably wouldn’t be here.”
Fast forward to the spring of 2023 and Devezin made the most of another opportunity as Notre Dame had its quarterbacks stay after practice to hold for field goals. Devezin took it seriously as he saw it as a way to get on the field and now he’s set to be the starting holder for the Irish, which is quite the change from where he was last fall.
”It’s been an ongoing thing since the spring,” Devezin said. “I got the opportunity to do it my first day in the building. I kind of just took as serious as I could because that’s my ticket on the field. Everyone wants to be the quarterback, but any way I can contribute, I feel like I can.”
Long snapper Michael Vinson, kicker Spencer Shrader and Devezin are now pressed with making up for lost time. Devezin wasn’t on the roster last year and Shrader didn’t arrive in South Bend until June, so the time before and after practice has been crucial to build chemistry and master those precious seconds.
”It’s been pretty smooth,” explained Devezin. “We’ve been working on getting the operation time down. I’m new to holding here and Spencer is new to the program. We’re just getting reps at it.”
The other adjustment for Devezin has come with his schedule as he has a lot less free time now, so it took him a few weeks to truly settle in, but that might not be the toughest new experience.
”Snow was a first,” laughed Devezin. “It was the first time I’ve ever seen snow in my life. It’s fun for the first five minutes. Walking to class in that is not it.”
It’s clear Devezin has embraced the opportunities he’s earned, but the most cherished times have come in the Notre Dame quarterback room.
”It’s been pretty fun being in the room,” said Devezin. “Sam brings a certain of maturity. The rest of us are underclassmen. He brings experience and leadership that I think is very important. Kenny and Steve, it’s like having brothers in the room - all the guys honestly. Kenny and Steve specifically, we laugh, joke and play, but we’re all learning. They’ve helped me come up to speed.”
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