Observations from the 2025 Notre Dame football Blue-Gold Game: quarterbacks look the part

Every spring, Notre Dame fans get their first taste of the upcoming football season through the Blue-Gold Game, and the 2025 edition offered a revealing preview of what could be a dynamic campaign in South Bend. While several storylines unfolded across all three phases of the game, it was the quarterbacks who commanded the spotlight. With a retooled offensive scheme and a fresh wave of talent at the helm, Notre Dame’s quarterback room sent a clear message: they are ready for the moment.

A New Era Begins with Kenny Minchey

Kenny Minchey entered the spring with something to prove. After a redshirt season in 2023 and a year largely spent in a developmental role behind seasoned veterans, the former four-star prospect finally stepped into the spotlight. He took the majority of first-team reps during the Blue-Gold Game and made the most of them.

Minchey’s stat line was efficient and promising: he completed 13-of-18 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns. More important than the numbers, however, was his poise. Minchey looked confident in the pocket, showed sharp decision-making, and delivered several NFL-caliber throws. His deep ball to Jaden Greathouse—a 45-yard strike that hit the receiver perfectly in stride—drew one of the biggest ovations of the afternoon.

What stood out most was Minchey’s command of new offensive coordinator Joe Sloan’s scheme. The offense flowed smoothly under his direction, with clean pre-snap communication, quick reads, and no delay-of-game penalties. For a program looking to establish a quarterback identity post-Sam Hartman, Minchey’s performance was a strong opening argument.

CJ Carr Shows the Future is Bright

While Minchey may be the present, freshman CJ Carr offered an enticing glimpse of Notre Dame’s future.

The five-star recruit and legacy player arrived in January with sky-high expectations, and his early enrollment has already begun to pay dividends. Carr played with the second team but still looked composed and in control, completing 10-of-14 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. His arm talent was on full display, but it was his poise under pressure that made coaches take notice.

In one sequence late in the first half, Carr faced a third-and-long situation against a disguised blitz. Rather than panic, he calmly stepped up in the pocket, reset his feet, and delivered a laser to a crossing Jordan Faison for a 22-yard gain. Plays like that don’t show up in highlight reels, but they are the moments that win the trust of a coaching staff.

The game slowed down for Carr faster than expected. Despite only being on campus for a few months, he looked like a player who belongs. Barring injuries or a major step back, it’s easy to see him pushing for meaningful snaps this fall.

A Healthy Competition Brews

With Minchey and Carr both turning in strong performances, head coach Marcus Freeman now finds himself in an enviable position: choosing between two capable quarterbacks, each with their own strengths.

While Minchey has the edge in experience and understanding of the playbook, Carr’s natural ability and football IQ are hard to ignore. Unlike past years when Notre Dame was searching for someone to merely manage the offense, this year’s quarterback battle is about choosing the best playmaker.

Freeman was measured in his postgame comments, acknowledging that both quarterbacks had “very good springs” and noting that the staff would take their time making any declarations. Still, he hinted that a two-quarterback system isn’t out of the question—especially early in the season when both players can gain valuable reps without jeopardizing team chemistry.

The Supporting Cast Shines

While the quarterbacks rightfully earned the headlines, their success was due in part to a surprisingly polished supporting cast.

Jaden Greathouse, who showed flashes as a freshman in 2023, looks poised for a breakout season. He led all receivers with 91 yards on four catches, including the aforementioned deep touchdown. His route running has taken a step forward, and his chemistry with both Minchey and Carr was evident.

Freshman receiver Micah Gilbert also made waves, catching five passes for 63 yards. He showed a physical presence that belies his age and could push for early playing time. Alongside veterans like Tobias Merriweather and Chris Tyree, this wide receiver room is suddenly deep and diverse.

Tight end Mitchell Evans, back from injury, made a triumphant return with a red-zone touchdown and several key blocks in the run game. His presence will be essential as Notre Dame continues to utilize 12-personnel formations under Sloan.

In the backfield, Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love provided a dynamic one-two punch. Price looked especially explosive, scoring on a 17-yard touchdown run that saw him break multiple tackles and bounce outside. With Audric Estime now in the NFL, Notre Dame needs a new bell cow—and Price looks ready to fill that role.

Offensive Line Holds Firm

Of course, no quarterback can thrive without solid protection. Fortunately for Minchey and Carr, the Irish offensive line performed well despite being without a few starters due to injury.

Left tackle Charles Jagusah stood out, anchoring the blind side with strength and technique. The sophomore handled veteran pass rusher Jordan Botelho with surprising ease, earning praise from offensive line coach Joe Rudolph afterward.

On the interior, sophomore Billy Schrauth and graduate Zeke Correll provided leadership and consistency. While the starting five is not yet set in stone, the unit’s cohesion was impressive given the time of year. If they can stay healthy, this could be one of the top lines in the country by midseason.

Defense Brings the Pressure

Despite the offensive fireworks, it wasn’t a one-sided affair. Notre Dame’s defense showed plenty of life—especially up front.

Howard Cross III, returning for a final season, looked every bit the disruptive force he was last year. He notched two sacks and consistently collapsed the pocket, making life difficult for Carr and the second-team offense.

The linebacker group, led by Jaylen Sneed and Jack Kiser, showed increased speed and aggression. Sneed in particular played with a noticeable edge, flying to the ball and breaking up two passes in the flat.

In the secondary, Christian Gray and Benjamin Morrison were largely lockdown on the outside. Morrison intercepted a pass intended for Tyree and returned it 32 yards, nearly scoring. He continues to solidify his reputation as one of the top cornerbacks in the country.

Special Teams Note: New Faces Take Over

Special teams saw the debut of new kicker Jake Pinegar, a transfer from Penn State, who nailed both of his field goal attempts, including a 46-yarder that would have been good from 55. In a tight game, reliable kicking can’t be overlooked—and Pinegar’s experience may prove valuable.

Freshman punter Bryce McFadden also had a solid showing, averaging 44.2 yards per punt and showing good hang time. Field position battles could be a hidden strength for this team if both players continue their upward trend.

Coaching Staff’s Impact

Offensive coordinator Joe Sloan’s fingerprints were all over the game plan. The use of pre-snap motion, RPO looks, and layered route concepts allowed the quarterbacks to play fast and free. Sloan brings a modern touch that Notre Dame fans have been craving, and early returns are positive.

On defense, Al Golden’s continuity and flexibility remain key. Despite multiple rotations, his unit maintained discipline and aggression. The balance between pressure packages and sound zone coverage bodes well for a team that wants to control tempo on both sides.

A Foundation Worth Building On

Spring games don’t determine championships, but they do reveal direction. The 2025 Blue-Gold Game showed a Notre Dame team that’s not just talented—it’s maturing, modernizing, and unafraid to let its playmakers shine.

Quarterback depth is no longer a concern. In fact, the biggest challenge may be deciding how to keep both Minchey and Carr engaged and ready without derailing momentum. That’s a good problem to have.

The rest of the roster appears to be rising with them. From offensive line play to receiver development and a defense that’s still plenty nasty, this Notre Dame team has the ingredients to make noise on the national stage.

With a manageable early schedule, Notre Dame has a chance to build confidence, tinker with rotations, and lean on its growing quarterback tandem. For now, the story coming out of South Bend is simple but powerful: the quarterbacks looked the part—and so did the team.