Steve Angeli Enters Transfer Portal — What It Means for Notre Dame
The college football landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with player movement through the NCAA Transfer Portal becoming a defining feature of each offseason. This week, another ripple was felt in South Bend, Indiana, as Notre Dame quarterback Steve Angeli officially entered the portal, signaling the end of his tenure with the Fighting Irish. The decision is significant not only for Angeli and his future but also for what it means to the depth, dynamics, and direction of the Notre Dame quarterback room heading into a critical 2025 season.
Angeli’s decision doesn’t come as a complete shock. The writing had been on the wall for months, if not longer. With Riley Leonard transferring in from Duke and expected to be the starter in 2025, and a highly touted crop of young quarterbacks nipping at his heels, Angeli found himself in a crowded room with limited upward mobility. After spending years developing in the program and waiting for his shot, it appears that shot won’t come in a Notre Dame uniform.
To understand the implications of Angeli’s transfer, it’s important to reflect on his journey at Notre Dame. A former four-star recruit from New Jersey, Angeli arrived in South Bend as part of the 2022 recruiting class with a reputation as a poised, accurate passer with high football IQ and strong leadership qualities. While not considered an elite dual-threat quarterback, he had the tools to succeed in a traditional pro-style system and was regarded as a potential long-term option for the Irish.
Angeli redshirted his freshman year and saw limited action in 2023 behind starter Sam Hartman, who transferred in from Wake Forest. Hartman’s arrival had already delayed any chance for Angeli to rise up the ranks, and when Notre Dame dipped back into the portal for Leonard the following offseason, it was another blow to Angeli’s trajectory. While he handled the situation with maturity and professionalism, there were persistent murmurs that a departure might be imminent unless the depth chart suddenly opened up.
That never happened. Instead, Angeli once again found himself watching from the sideline during spring practices, while Leonard took first-team reps and younger quarterbacks like CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey battled for backup reps. Carr, in particular, has drawn rave reviews since arriving on campus. The former five-star prospect and legacy recruit seems destined to be Notre Dame’s quarterback of the future — possibly even its quarterback of the present, depending on how Leonard performs and stays healthy.
Angeli’s exit now clears up what had become an overly congested quarterback room and provides clarity for all parties. For Notre Dame, it’s a reshuffling that simplifies the decision-making process at a critical position. For Angeli, it’s a fresh opportunity to reset his career and potentially start at a program that will give him the reins. He leaves Notre Dame with experience, a solid understanding of Power Five football, and a reputation as a dependable, coachable teammate. In an era where experience matters more than ever — especially for programs looking for a quick fix at quarterback — Angeli is a valuable asset.
Still, his departure leaves Notre Dame in a slightly more precarious position than it might appear on the surface. While the top-end talent remains intact with Leonard and Carr, the depth now takes a hit. Should Leonard suffer an injury or Carr struggle to adjust to the college game, the Irish are now one less experienced option deep. Kenny Minchey remains a promising, albeit untested, option, but losing Angeli means losing a player who understood the system, the staff, and the expectations.
The long-term plan at quarterback for Notre Dame has always been about timing — how to bridge the gap between short-term experience and long-term potential. In bringing in Hartman for 2023 and Leonard for 2024-25, head coach Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock clearly signaled their intention to build a stable bridge to the future. That future is likely tied to Carr, but Angeli was supposed to be a part of the bridge, perhaps even as a late bloomer who could step up if needed. Now, that role will fall to someone else.
Angeli’s case also reinforces the brutal reality of modern college football, particularly at the quarterback position. Patience is in short supply, not because players are impulsive or entitled, but because opportunities are scarce and timing is everything. Quarterbacks, unlike other positions, don’t rotate in and out regularly. There’s typically only one on the field, and only one can truly get reps that matter. Angeli waited patiently through multiple quarterback transitions, stayed with the program despite portal temptation, and still found himself on the outside looking in.
In the end, his transfer isn’t a failure — it’s an adjustment, a recalibration in pursuit of playing time and purpose. He leaves Notre Dame with respect and appreciation from coaches and teammates, and with the backing of a fanbase that understands the sacrifices he made to stick with the program as long as he did. Wherever he lands, Angeli is likely to bring immediate value. Several Group of Five programs and lower-tier Power Five teams are already speculated to be interested, particularly those that run a traditional offensive scheme where Angeli’s strengths can shine.
For Notre Dame, the focus now shifts squarely to Leonard and Carr. Leonard is the short-term answer, a savvy, mobile veteran who’s proven he can win in the ACC and has the tools to elevate an already talented offense. But Carr is the name everyone will be watching closely. If Leonard falters or if the Irish find themselves out of playoff contention midway through the season, the calls for Carr to get experience will only grow louder. The coaching staff must walk a fine line — winning now while building for the future.
There’s also a recruiting angle to consider. Angeli’s departure doesn’t hurt Notre Dame’s reputation with quarterback recruits, but it does serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between competition and opportunity. Future quarterbacks considering South Bend will weigh the Irish’s tendency to pursue portal veterans against the development and playing time afforded to homegrown talent. Freeman and Denbrock must continue to show that Notre Dame is a place where elite quarterbacks can develop and start — even if the path isn’t always linear.
There are also intangible effects of Angeli’s exit. In a locker room where leadership and continuity matter, losing a veteran presence can be felt in ways that go beyond just Xs and Os. Angeli was well-liked, respected, and known for doing things the right way. Players like that are often the glue in practice, in film rooms, and in quiet moments behind the scenes. Leonard will need to bring not just production but leadership. Carr, for all his talent, is still a freshman learning the ropes. Minchey will need to step into more of a vocal role as well.
In a broader sense, Angeli’s transfer highlights how the transfer portal giveth and taketh away. Notre Dame has benefitted greatly from the portal in recent years — Hartman, Leonard, wide receiver talent, offensive line reinforcements, and more — but it also comes at the cost of stability and internal development. It’s a constant recalibration, and the Irish have largely managed it well. But every exit has its implications.
The next few months will be crucial for Notre Dame’s quarterback situation. If Leonard thrives and stays healthy, Angeli’s absence may never be truly felt on the field. If Carr develops quickly and minimizes mistakes when called upon, the room may be in good hands. But if depth becomes an issue, or if unforeseen circumstances arise, Angeli’s departure could loom larger than expected.
At the end of the day, Angeli’s decision is a reminder of the human side of college football — the hopes, the waiting, the competition, and the eventual realization that sometimes, the best path forward is a different one. He leaves Notre Dame having done everything asked of him. Now, he seeks the one thing he never fully got: a true opportunity to lead.
Notre Dame will move on, as it always does. The quarterback room remains talented, the program remains ambitious, and the goals remain unchanged. But Angeli’s chapter, while not filled with highlights and records, was one of quiet commitment, resilience, and class. And for that, he will always be remembered in South Bend.
