2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Sam Hartman

Prospect Summary:

Over the past six seasons, Hartman was a solid starting quarterback for mulitple college football programs. He broke out for Wake Forest in 2021, completing 59 percent of his passes for 4,228 yards, 39 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. In 2022, he was more efficient completing, 63 percent for 3,701 yards, 38 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. For his final season of college football, Hartman transferred to Notre Dame. While his numbers declined with the Fighting Irish, they also featured a ground-based offense. Hartman completed 64 percent of his passes in 2023 for 2,689 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

In terms of size, arm and athleticism, Hartman has the physical talent of a backup-caliber player for the NFL. He is an efficient rhythm passer who makes good decisions overall. Hartman can be accurate in the short to intermediate part of the field, throwing a very catchable ball with nice touch. He does a good job of taking what a defense gives him, and he will move the chains through moderate completions. In the pocket, Hartman hangs tough and does not get rattled by the rush coming down around him. With his poise helping him to stay on schedule, Hartman uses nice anticipation to read coverage and distribute the ball.

While Hartman can be an efficient passer, he does not have a powerful arm and is not a mobile running threat. Beyond his lack of strength, Hartman could struggle to attack defenses vertically, and he also could have a hard time firing passes past defenders in tight windows. Hartman also can hold onto the ball too long and takes too many sacks. Hartman took an insane 83 sacks over the past three seasons. Versus NFL defenders, he could struggle to avoid pass rushers and blitzes. Hartman is not the dual-threat type who is en vogue in the NFL, and his ability to avoid defenders is going to get exposed further by the speed and athleticism of professionals.

While Hartman does not have a starter’s skill set, he could develop into being a backup. For the 2024 NFL Draft, Hartman looks like a third-day pick. He could possibly go in the early rounds of Day 3.