Notre Dame’s quarterback competition has officially been whittled down to two contenders after redshirt sophomore Steve Angeli entered the transfer portal this week, signaling a significant shift in the program’s plans under head coach Marcus Freeman and new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock. Angeli’s decision, while not entirely unexpected given the intense competition and his limited opportunities, leaves the Irish with just two scholarship quarterbacks vying for the most coveted job on campus heading into the summer: redshirt freshman Kenny Minchey and early enrollee freshman CJ Carr.
For Angeli, the writing had been on the wall for some time. Despite a solid spring, the former four-star from New Jersey found himself in a difficult spot—neither the young up-and-comer nor the flashy five-star future of the program. In a room that includes a promising redshirt freshman and a true freshman already drawing rave reviews, Angeli was at risk of being the odd man out. And now, by entering the portal, he’s made it official.
Angeli departs Notre Dame having appeared in just a handful of games over two seasons, largely in mop-up duty. He did show flashes of command and poise, notably in the 2023 Sun Bowl, where he helped lead the Irish to a win over Oregon State with a solid performance that included 232 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and zero interceptions. That game gave him a much-needed confidence boost heading into 2024, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough to vault him into pole position in the current quarterback derby.
For Notre Dame, the move simultaneously simplifies and complicates things. On one hand, removing Angeli from the equation gives the coaching staff a clearer picture of where the battle stands. On the other, it raises questions about depth, leadership, and whether the two remaining quarterbacks are truly ready for the gauntlet that is a full college football season.
Kenny Minchey now becomes the presumed frontrunner, at least for the time being. The former four-star prospect out of Tennessee has impressed the staff with his maturity, football IQ, and ability to extend plays. At 6-foot-1 and 217 pounds, he doesn’t necessarily fit the mold of a prototypical quarterback in the way that past Notre Dame signal-callers have, but he more than makes up for it with accuracy and pocket awareness. His redshirt year allowed him to get a feel for the system and build rapport with his teammates, and according to sources close to the program, his leadership has begun to shine through more consistently in recent weeks.
But don’t count out CJ Carr just yet.
The five-star legacy prospect—the grandson of former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr—was never going to be just another name on the depth chart. Since arriving on campus in January, Carr has turned heads with his arm talent, poise, and understanding of the game. His high school tape told the story of a quarterback who thrives in big moments, and early returns from spring ball suggest he’s adapting faster than many anticipated. While Freeman and Denbrock have been cautious not to heap too much pressure on the freshman, there’s a growing sense that Carr could very well challenge for the starting job right away.
That possibility has energized a fanbase eager for stability and star power under center—two things Notre Dame has largely lacked in recent years. Since Ian Book’s departure after the 2020 season, the Irish have cycled through a series of stopgap options, from Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan in 2021 to Drew Pyne and Tyler Buchner in 2022, and most recently, Wake Forest grad transfer Sam Hartman in 2023. While each brought a unique skill set and some level of success, none managed to solidify themselves as long-term solutions.
In Carr, Notre Dame may finally have the kind of elite talent that can elevate the program to the next level. But the question remains: is it too soon?
True freshman quarterbacks, even five-star ones, often struggle when thrown into the fire too early. The speed of the college game, the complexity of the playbook, and the weight of expectations at a program like Notre Dame can be overwhelming. And yet, history is filled with examples of freshmen rising to the occasion—Trevor Lawrence at Clemson, Jalen Hurts at Alabama, Caleb Williams at Oklahoma. If Carr truly is that caliber of player, the staff may be forced to seriously consider handing him the reins sooner rather than later.
Still, Minchey has the advantage of experience, however limited. He’s had a year in the system, knows the locker room, and has had time to develop physically and mentally. In many ways, he represents the safe choice—reliable, prepared, and likely less prone to the highs and lows that often come with a true freshman learning on the fly. But safe doesn’t always win championships, and Freeman knows that better than anyone.
This is, after all, a pivotal season for the third-year head coach. After going 9-4 in 2022 and 10-3 in 2023, Freeman has raised the standard in South Bend. The Irish are recruiting better than ever, the defense is consistently among the best in the country, and there’s a real belief that the program is on the cusp of returning to national prominence. But that next step—breaking through into the College Football Playoff, winning a major bowl game, contending for a title—will hinge almost entirely on quarterback play.
Whoever emerges as the starter will inherit a talented roster with big-time weapons on the outside, including Rico Flores Jr., Tobias Merriweather, and Jaden Greathouse. The offensive line, though young, is loaded with four- and five-star talent, and the backfield is deep and versatile. In other words, the infrastructure is in place. What’s needed now is the right trigger man to bring it all together.
And that’s what makes this quarterback battle so compelling. It’s not just about who wins the job in August—it’s about who gives Notre Dame the best chance to compete with the Alabamas, Georgias, and Michigans of the world. It’s about upside, leadership, and the ability to rise to the moment when it matters most.
The decision won’t be made lightly, and Freeman has made it clear that he and Denbrock will let the competition play out over the summer and into fall camp. Both quarterbacks will continue to split reps and be evaluated on everything from film study to leadership in the locker room to on-field execution. It’s a true meritocracy, and both Minchey and Carr know that every snap, every read, every throw will be under the microscope.
There’s also the matter of injury insurance. With Angeli gone, Notre Dame now has just two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster, which is a risky proposition given the physical demands of the position. Expect the Irish to explore potential depth options in the transfer portal—not necessarily to challenge for the starting job, but to provide stability and experience behind the top two. Whether that means bringing in a grad transfer willing to serve as a backup or flipping a lower-level target remains to be seen, but it’s almost certain the staff will be active in that market.
For Angeli, the move to the portal is a chance at a fresh start. He’ll no doubt draw interest from Group of Five programs and perhaps even Power Five schools in need of a steady, experienced presence in their quarterback room. He’s shown he can handle the moment when called upon, and with three years of eligibility remaining, he still has time to carve out a meaningful college career elsewhere.
But for Notre Dame, the focus now shifts squarely to the future. With the battle narrowed to two, the countdown is officially on. Will Minchey take the reins and lead the Irish with steady command and quiet confidence? Or will Carr seize the moment and usher in a new era of star-powered quarterback play in South Bend?
Either way, one thing is certain: the most important decision of Marcus Freeman’s young coaching career lies directly ahead. And it will define not just the 2025 season—but potentially, the entire trajectory of Notre Dame football in the years to come.