With Notre Dame’s Opener Looming Large the Quarterback Decision Between CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey Cannot Wait Any Longer
The long months of offseason speculation are over. Preseason camp has come and gone, the pads have been popped, the depth charts have been shuffled, and the whispers inside Notre Dame’s football facility have now turned into urgent conversations. The Fighting Irish stand on the edge of their 2025 season opener with more questions than answers at the most important position on the field: quarterback. In one corner stands CJ Carr, the highly touted recruit whose name has carried weight in South Bend ever since his commitment. In the other stands Kenny Minchey, the steady hand who has been in the system longer, waiting patiently for his opportunity to prove he can be the one to guide Notre Dame into the future. Both bring promise. Both bring risk. Only one can start.
The situation itself is not unusual. Notre Dame has been here before. From Brady Quinn to Jimmy Clausen, from Everett Golson to DeShone Kizer, from Ian Book to Tyler Buchner, the quarterback position has often been the focus of debate as the Irish juggle talent, experience, and potential. But this decision feels heavier, perhaps because of what is at stake in 2025. Notre Dame’s roster is built with the kind of balance and depth that suggests the Irish can make a legitimate run at the College Football Playoff. The offensive line is veteran-laden, the running backs are proven, the wide receivers have finally developed both speed and size, and the defense boasts playmakers at every level. That makes the quarterback decision even more pressing. The Irish cannot afford to stumble out of the gate or waste time rotating through uncertainty.
CJ Carr arrives with a surname that makes every Notre Dame fan pause. He is the grandson of Lloyd Carr, the legendary Michigan coach who once led the Wolverines to a national title. For Notre Dame, luring Carr away from the Wolverines was a symbolic recruiting victory, but it was more than that—it was a commitment to the idea that the Irish can attract and develop the nation’s best quarterbacks. Carr’s high school tape displayed exactly why he was so coveted: a live arm, smooth mechanics, and the kind of poise rarely found in teenagers. His ability to process quickly, move within the pocket, and deliver the football with anticipation set him apart. He is not the kind of quarterback who relies solely on athleticism, though he can extend plays when necessary. Rather, he is the prototype for modern pocket quarterbacks who win with timing and rhythm.
But Carr is young. That is the unavoidable truth. No matter how polished his mechanics look, no matter how advanced his football IQ appears, he has yet to face a college defense on Saturday afternoons. College football is unforgiving, especially when the opening weeks are loaded with big-stage matchups. Every snap is a test, every mistake magnified. Notre Dame has learned the hard way in years past that throwing a freshman into the fire too early can lead to setbacks that linger. Carr might be the future, but the present demands something sturdier.
That is where Kenny Minchey enters the picture. Minchey was not the five-star phenom whose name lit up recruiting sites, but he was a highly regarded prospect in his own right. He committed to Notre Dame with a reputation for being accurate, competitive, and coachable. Unlike Carr, he has had the benefit of time in the system, working under the coaching staff, absorbing the playbook, and learning the nuances of college defenses. Minchey has also shown in practice settings that he has a quick release and a knack for reading coverage. Teammates speak of his leadership, his calmness, and his willingness to grind in the film room. In short, he embodies the steady, reliable presence that coaches often crave in a starter.
Yet Minchey, too, comes with question marks. While he has been in the program longer, he has not been tested extensively under the bright lights. Practice and scrimmages provide hints, but game situations often reveal hidden flaws—how a quarterback responds to pressure, how he reacts when his first read is taken away, how he bounces back after throwing an interception in front of 80,000 fans. Notre Dame does not need just a caretaker quarterback. If the Irish are going to compete with the Alabamas, Georgias, and Ohio States of the world, they need explosiveness, not just efficiency. Minchey may prove capable of delivering that, but the sample size is thin.
So the debate inside the Irish coaching offices boils down to a fundamental question: do you prioritize upside or stability? With Carr, you are betting on a potentially transformative talent. He could elevate Notre Dame’s offense into something dynamic and feared, an attack that puts defenses on their heels. With Minchey, you are betting on experience, continuity, and a safer floor, perhaps avoiding the costly mistakes that often accompany freshman quarterbacks. Both paths carry risks. Choose Carr and you might ride through growing pains that cost games in September. Choose Minchey and you might wonder if the offense has left too much potential untapped.
Notre Dame fans, of course, are divided. Some clamor for Carr, arguing that the ceiling is too high to ignore. They point to past seasons when Notre Dame’s conservative approach left them short of glory. They say that if the Irish are truly serious about winning a national championship, they cannot play it safe. Others counter that starting Carr too early could shake his confidence if he struggles. They argue that Minchey, having waited his turn, deserves the chance to prove himself, and that the coaching staff owes the team the most reliable option right now, not just the most exciting one.
The locker room itself likely has opinions as well. Players respect leadership, and quarterbacks earn credibility not only by making plays but also by showing consistency. Reports out of camp suggest that both Carr and Minchey have had their moments, each stringing together impressive drives in scrimmages. Coaches have praised Carr’s maturity beyond his years and Minchey’s ability to command the huddle. But when asked who should start, teammates have been diplomatic, knowing that public endorsements can tilt the balance.
What complicates matters further is Notre Dame’s schedule. The Irish do not open with an easy warmup game. The early slate features opponents that will test the quarterback immediately. If Notre Dame chooses Carr, he will be baptized by fire, forced to learn on the fly against aggressive defenses. If they choose Minchey, they will need him to not just manage but thrive, because conservative play alone will not win those matchups. Either way, the decision cannot be delayed. Rotating quarterbacks, splitting drives, or dragging the competition into September often creates more problems than it solves. Teams need clarity. Offensive coordinators need to build game plans around a starter. Teammates need to know whose voice they will follow into the huddle.
Marcus Freeman, still carving out his legacy as Notre Dame’s head coach, understands the gravity of the choice. His reputation as a recruiter has been sterling, and his defenses have been disciplined, but the quarterback decision will define his tenure as much as anything. If he nails it, Notre Dame can surge into playoff contention. If he miscalculates, the Irish could stumble into another season of “what ifs.” Freeman must balance the short-term need to win with the long-term development of the program. Choosing Carr might mean investing in the future at the cost of early struggles. Choosing Minchey might mean maximizing this season while possibly delaying Carr’s emergence.
College football is cruel in its brevity. Unlike the NFL, where patience sometimes yields results over several years, college coaches have limited windows to capitalize on roster talent. Players graduate, declare for the draft, or transfer. Opportunities come and go quickly. Notre Dame’s 2025 roster is primed for success. The offensive line has future NFL players. The defense is loaded with veterans who may not be around much longer. The skill positions finally offer explosiveness that has been lacking in past years. Wasting that by mishandling the quarterback position would be a disservice to the program.
There is also the transfer portal era to consider. If Carr does not win the job, will he be patient? If Minchey is passed over, will he look elsewhere? Coaches must now weigh not just who gives them the best chance to win, but also how to manage egos and futures in a way that keeps rosters intact. It is a delicate balancing act. Notre Dame’s tradition and academic commitment mean that the Irish cannot simply reload from the portal the way some programs do. Retention matters as much as recruitment.
So who should it be? Ultimately, the case for Carr rests on potential greatness. He has the tools to be special, perhaps the kind of quarterback who finally breaks through the ceiling that has capped Notre Dame for decades. The case for Minchey rests on steadiness. He can protect the football, execute the offense, and perhaps be good enough to let the rest of the roster carry the load. Both arguments are valid.
If the decision must be made with the opener looming, the safer play might be Minchey. Let him start, allow Carr to grow without the immediate burden, and keep the offense on track early in the season. If Minchey flourishes, the Irish are in good hands. If he struggles, Carr will be waiting, ready to step in. That path minimizes risk while keeping options open. But the allure of Carr will not fade. Sooner or later, the Irish will turn to him, because quarterbacks with his talent do not sit for long.
No matter which way Freeman goes, the spotlight will burn bright. Every throw, every drive, every win or loss will be measured against the decision made in these final weeks of camp. Notre Dame has the roster to make 2025 special. But special seasons hinge on quarterback play, and quarterback play hinges on trust, preparation, and decisiveness. The Irish cannot afford hesitation now. The time has come to pick a leader. Whether it is the youthful brilliance of CJ Carr or the patient steadiness of Kenny Minchey, Notre Dame’s season depends on it.
