Story by
Roundtable Sports
Notre Dame 2026 Player Profile: Quarterback Blake Hebert
- Story byRoundtable Sports
- Notre Dame 2026 Player Profile: Quarterback Blake Hebert
(Angela Driskell, Irish Breakdown)
Notre Dame is having yet another quarterback battle that will rage into the fall, but this one is a bit different than last season. The Irish know who their starter is going to be, but the backup job is up for grabs. Redshirt freshman Blake Hebert is one of the contenders for that job, and it's a big season for him as he battles against two younger players for the right to be the "next man in" at quarterback for 2026 and beyond.
Here is our 2026 season preview and profile for Hebert:
Advertisement
BLAKE HEBERT PROFILE
Class/Eligibility: Sophomore / Freshman
Height/Weight: 6-2, 216
Hometown/High School: Boxford, Mass./Brunswick School (Conn.)
IB EVALUATION
Here is the IB evaluation of Hebert when he signed with Notre Dame:
"Hebert is a talented quarterback with a lot of tools, and he's just scratching the surface of what he can be. Flipping him from Clemson also had to feel like a bonus for the Irish coaches. Hebert has a very live arm with a clean, easy throwing motion. He gets through the throwing zone efficiently and the ball jumps out of his hand in impressive fashion. He can power the ball down the field and also throw with touch. As a senior you saw his athleticism and running ability shine, with Hebert rushing for 625 yards and 11 touchdowns. Hebert has a thick build, but he shows good speed and vision as a runner as well. His footwork needs to be improved, both from a movement standpoint and proper steps to get more drive on the ball. Hebert has to improve his timing and decision making as well, but the tools are strong."
Advertisement
2025 SEASON IN REVIEW
Hebert did not play any snaps in 2025. He enrolled early at Notre Dame and spent all season as the third quarterback behind starter CJ Carr and veteran back up Kenny Minchey .
FALL CAMP PREVIEW
This is a massive season for Hebert, which is a wild thing to say about a redshirt freshman at a position where the team has a returning starter. But that's the reality for him as he battles a pair of talented younger players in Noah Grubbsand Teddy Jarrard. If he can't establish himself as the No. 2 quarterback behind Carr now, the odds of him overcoming a younger player and winning the job in 2027 go way down.
Advertisement
He is a raw but talented player, and he needs to make a significant jump this offseason and become a more consistent player. Hebert often gets overlooked at the position because of him being a late signee and not a incredibly highly ranked recruit, but he has talent and ability. The situation he finds himself in, however, is one where he'll need to grow his game pretty quickly.
2026 EXPECTATIONS
For Hebert it's all about refining his skills. He's a well built young athlete, he has a fast release and a strong arm, and he's without a doubt the best athlete/runner at the position. The latter trait is one that gives him an advantage over the other quarterbacks, who are pure pocket passers. There is an intriguing aspect to having a backup QB who can come in and be a key part of the run game and also scramble and use his legs to make plays. Hebert can do that, but if he's going to win the backup job he'll need to be far more improved as a decision maker, clean up his mechanics (especially his footwork) and show he can consistently lead the offense up and down the field.
If Hebert can become a more consistent player I do believe he has a legitimate chance to become the No. 2 quarterback. We saw in the Blue-Gold Game that he has the arm talent to make really impressive throws, and he also has the mobility to be a playmaker with his legs. But we also saw him miss some very easy throws and not always work through his progressions with confidence or the proper timing. The expectation for Hebert this season — if he wants to win this job — is that he can make more of the "lay ups", continue making the big plays with his arm, and just show more steadiness with his play. The ups and downs he shows aren't great confidence builders for coaches or teammates. Consistency is a word I'm going to use for Hebert often, because if he can establish it he can win this battle.
Advertisement
A GOOD SEASON FOR HEBERT WOULD BE ....
One in which Hebert shows growth as a player in fall camp, uses his combination of big arm and athleticism to win the back up job, maintains a steady level of growth throughout the season and if his number is called he's ready to step in and lead the offense. For Hebert, a good season is one in which he not only wins the backup job, but he performs in a way in practice and games that allows him to go into spring in pole position at quarterback should Carr decide to leave for the NFL.
———————
Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more.
Advertisement
Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!
Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Follow me on Twitter: @CoachD178
Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook
