Steve Angeli’s Next Chapter: Notre Dame Quarterback Reportedly Enters Transfer Portal
Steve Angeli came to South Bend as a promising quarterback with the potential to someday lead the Fighting Irish. Now, after waiting patiently behind others and contributing when called upon, Angeli is reportedly entering the transfer portal, signaling the start of a new chapter in his football journey. His decision reflects both the ever-evolving nature of college football and the intense competition that exists at the quarterback position, especially at a prestigious program like Notre Dame.
Angeli’s reported entry into the portal doesn’t come as a total surprise, but it still carries weight. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound New Jersey native was a four-star recruit coming out of Bergen Catholic High School and joined Notre Dame in the Class of 2022. He arrived in a quarterback room that was already crowded, and despite his clear potential and poise, his path to consistent playing time was uncertain from the start.
He redshirted his freshman year and appeared sparingly in 2023, seeing action mostly in mop-up duty or limited relief roles. But in 2024, with an injury to then-starter Sam Hartman and fluctuating quarterback dynamics behind the scenes, Angeli finally got his chance to show what he could do. In Notre Dame’s Sun Bowl victory over Oregon State, Angeli started and delivered a solid performance that included 232 passing yards and three touchdowns in a 40–8 rout. That game sparked conversation about whether Angeli had done enough to seize control of the quarterback job heading into 2025.
Instead, that conversation continued into the offseason, particularly as Notre Dame landed top transfer portal quarterback Riley Leonard from Duke. Leonard, with his experience and dual-threat ability, quickly became the frontrunner to start for the Irish in 2025. That shift in the depth chart, coupled with Leonard’s health trending upward after recovering from an ankle injury, likely influenced Angeli’s thinking. A redshirt sophomore with three years of eligibility left, Angeli now finds himself seeking a fresh opportunity—one where he can truly compete for a starting role.
There’s no denying that Angeli’s decision was made in a college football landscape that’s increasingly transient and unpredictable. The transfer portal has transformed roster management across the country, especially at the quarterback position, where patience often clashes with the urgency to play. In years past, a player like Angeli might’ve waited longer, perhaps hoping that another year of development or a twist of fate would open the door. But in today’s game, the margins are razor thin, and opportunity is everything.
Angeli enters the portal with some momentum, thanks to that breakout performance in the Sun Bowl. He showed command of the offense, calmness under pressure, and the ability to make decisive throws downfield. More importantly, he played winning football, which is ultimately the most important metric for quarterbacks. He may not have the athletic flash of Leonard or the hype of a five-star prospect, but Angeli is a steady, reliable option who has been in a big-time program and knows what it takes to compete at the highest level.
He also leaves Notre Dame with the respect of his coaches, teammates, and fans. By all accounts, Angeli was a consummate teammate. He stuck it out through the arrival of Sam Hartman and the adjustment to a new offensive coordinator. He handled the challenges of limited playing time with maturity, and when his name was finally called, he didn’t flinch. That type of character and mental toughness will serve him well wherever he lands next.
The timing of his reported entry into the portal—just days after Notre Dame’s spring game—suggests that Angeli took a hard look at the quarterback depth chart and realized that the opportunity he craved may not materialize in South Bend. Leonard was reportedly taking first-team reps throughout the spring, and early enrollee CJ Carr, a highly touted freshman, is seen as the future of the position. With Kenny Minchey also in the mix, the Irish suddenly have a crowded quarterback room again. For Angeli, the writing was on the wall.
That’s not a knock on Angeli’s talent—it’s a reflection of just how competitive the quarterback spot is, particularly at a school like Notre Dame that’s always striving for national titles. Every year, programs like the Irish are evaluating and upgrading every position. It’s not uncommon to see quarterbacks who’ve played well still opt to leave because a clear path to the starting job just isn’t there.
Where Angeli ends up next will be one of the more intriguing storylines to watch over the next several weeks. He’s not just another name in the portal; he’s a quarterback with game experience, a high football IQ, and leadership qualities that coaches crave. He’s also still developing, which means the ceiling remains high. Programs across the country looking for a quarterback with upside but also someone who can step in and manage an offense efficiently will likely be very interested.
Schools in the Power Five that missed out on their top transfer targets could make a run. So could Group of Five programs that want to build around a smart, experienced quarterback with multiple years of eligibility. Angeli’s calm demeanor, accuracy, and understanding of pro-style concepts make him a great fit for a number of systems, particularly those that don’t require a quarterback to carry the offense with his legs but instead distribute, manage tempo, and avoid mistakes.
For Notre Dame, the departure of Angeli doesn’t leave them scrambling. With Leonard expected to start and both Minchey and Carr in place, the Irish are still in good shape. But losing a player like Angeli, who knew the system and provided a safety net of sorts, does put more pressure on Leonard to stay healthy and perform at a high level. It also accelerates the development curve for Carr and Minchey, both of whom could be one play away from stepping in if needed.
This move also highlights the broader challenge that every college coach now faces: building a deep quarterback room while managing egos, expectations, and timelines. You can’t keep everyone happy, and you can’t keep everyone. The days of stockpiling four or five scholarship quarterbacks and expecting them all to stick around are gone. It’s about balance—recruiting talent, managing reps, and ensuring that at least one or two experienced arms are always ready to go.
Notre Dame has navigated that challenge fairly well under head coach Marcus Freeman, but Angeli’s departure is a reminder that even the most stable programs are susceptible to turnover. The good news for Freeman and his staff is that the Irish quarterback room still contains talent, and the program is trending upward with strong recruiting and national expectations.
As for Angeli, this next step is full of possibility. He’s been patient, put in the work, and proven that he can lead when given the chance. What he needs now is a place that will hand him the keys or at least give him a real shot to earn them. Whether that’s a Power Five school with a quarterback competition or a Group of Five program looking for leadership and consistency, Angeli has the tools to succeed.
The quarterback position in college football has never been more competitive, and Steve Angeli is now entering the heart of that race. He’s betting on himself, as so many others have done through the portal. But with his experience, maturity, and taste of success already in hand, it’s a bet that may well pay off.
Notre Dame fans will watch with interest to see where he lands, and chances are good he’ll find success in a new jersey. He might not have gotten the full opportunity he hoped for in South Bend, but he leaves with dignity, a bowl win, and the knowledge that he contributed to one of the proudest programs in college football. Now, he moves on—still writing his story, still chasing the dream, and still with a lot to prove.
