We Are ND Nation Top 9 Notre Dame Players Since 2000: # 2 Quarterback Brady Quinn

When Notre Dame football needed a leader to help bring the program back into the national spotlight, Brady Quinn answered the call.


One of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Fighting Irish history, Quinn combined a powerful arm, exceptional football IQ, and unwavering leadership to become the face of Notre Dame football during the mid-2000s. Under head coach Charlie Weis, he transformed into one of the nation's elite quarterbacks and restored excitement to Irish football.


By the time he graduated, Quinn had rewritten the Notre Dame record book. He set 36 school records, including career marks for passing yards (11,762), completions (929), touchdown passes (95), and pass attempts (1,602). He also tied the school record with 29 career victories as a starting quarterback, cementing his place among the program's all-time greats.


Quinn's 2005 and 2006 seasons were among the finest ever by an Irish quarterback. He led Notre Dame to back-to-back BCS bowl appearances, finished fourth in the 2005 Heisman Trophy voting and third in 2006, and earned First-Team All-American honors during his senior season. His ability to dissect defenses and deliver in clutch moments made him one of the most feared quarterbacks in college football.


Some of Quinn's most memorable performances came under the brightest lights. Whether it was throwing for 487 yards and five touchdowns against Michigan State, engineering dramatic comeback victories, or building an unforgettable connection with wide receiver Jeff Samardzija, Quinn consistently delivered moments that Notre Dame fans still talk about today. During his career, he became the first Irish quarterback to throw for more than 400 yards in five different games and set numerous single-game and single-season passing records.
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Why He's #3Brady Quinn didn't just put up eye-popping numbers—he helped restore Notre Dame's national relevance. His leadership, toughness, and record-setting production made him one of the defining players of the 2000s and one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to wear the Blue and Gold.
For his remarkable career and lasting impact on the program, Brady Quinn earns the No. 3 spot on We Are ND Nation's Top 9 Notre Dame Players Since 2000.