Ex-Notre Dame QB Drew Pyne is ready to compete for Arizona State starting job

Drew Pyne has been competing for a starting quarterback job his whole college career so walking into an Arizona State program without a designated starter wasn’t a new situation.
When Pyne was a freshman in 2020 at Notre Dame, there was Ian Book. And then in 2021, there was Jack Coan. When the opportunity opened in 2022, Tyler Buchner got the job.
But Pyne kept preparing and eventually got the starting job after three games when Buchner suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Pyne then went 8-2 and threw for 22 touchdowns with just six interceptions.
“I’ve been in competitions my whole college career and something I’ve always told myself is to control what you can control," Pyne said. "What I can control is being in the playbook, being ready for practice, having my body right and being healthy. As long as I can do that and play my best, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m the ultimate competitor. I love this.”
ASU returns a veteran presence in Trenton Bourguet, who started a handful of games last season, but was reluctant to name a starter during spring practice. With the door left open for Pyne and true freshman Jaden Rashada, the three will soon be engaged in a quarterback competition that could dominate fall camp.
“You would hope that one person is clearly the guy. When that person steps up, we'll name the starter,” head coach Kenny Dillingham said. “No matter what, we'll name the starter at least a week prior to the first game if nobody clearly separates themselves. It's not going to be, like, random starter runs out there week one, it's a mystery. Our team needs to know who their captain is. The sooner we can tell them who that is, the better.”
The team has yet to resume practices, but over the offseason, Pyne remained in Arizona and was engaged in player-led workouts. From there, he developed a stronger connection with the wide receivers.
Each quarterback brings a unique skillset that can benefit the Sun Devils and Pyne has been praised for his quick release that allows him to operate like a point guard.
“We got incredible receivers here. Our first and second group are guys who can go and play and score touchdowns and make big plays,” Pyne said. “The mix between coach Dillingham and (quarterbacks) coach (Beau) Baldwin has really come along.”
Since Pyne joined ASU in the spring semester, he’s roomed with transfer wide receiver Xavier Guillory, a standout in spring. Both have forged an early connection that could be formidable given that Pyne averaged 183.7 yards per game for a season total of 2,021 through the air last year.
It remains to be seen who will be the starter for the season opener on August 31, but throughout the competition, Pyne will remember everything he's learned about dealing with pressure. Coming from a high profile in Notre Dame has prepared him for all kinds of attention, positive or negative.
"I got started with the recruiting process and college football pretty early," Pyne said. "I got offered in eighth grade, so I’ve had great guidance from my parents and my family and all the people around me to stay level-headed and neutral. I don’t try to look at any of the positive or negative things during the season. I tune out social media and delete the apps. I try to focus on what’s important.”