Despite Marcus Freeman’s Talk of Open Competition, Riley Leonard Is Clearly Notre Dame’s Starting Quarterback Heading Into Week One
Marcus Freeman continues to insist that Notre Dame’s quarterback battle is wide open. Every time he steps in front of a microphone during fall camp, he reiterates the same message: no one has been handed the starting job, and the staff is evaluating every rep, every throw, and every intangible that contributes to a winning quarterback. But while Freeman may be doing what good head coaches do — keeping pressure on his players and competition alive — the reality is plain to see. Barring something unforeseen, Riley Leonard will be under center when Notre Dame opens its season, and everyone inside and outside the program knows it.
There’s no controversy brewing. No whispers of locker room discontent. In fact, quite the opposite. Leonard’s presence, even though he arrived via the transfer portal only months ago, has already begun to shape the identity of the 2025 Fighting Irish offense. He has the leadership qualities, athletic profile, and big-game experience that you simply don’t find every day in college football. And while Freeman may be drawing out the announcement for motivational and strategic purposes, the signs all point in one direction: Leonard isn’t just the favorite — he’s the guy.
Notre Dame brought Leonard in for a reason. After spending multiple seasons as the starting quarterback at Duke, Leonard emerged as one of the ACC’s most dynamic dual-threat passers. His size, mobility, toughness, and composure under pressure made him one of the most coveted quarterbacks in the transfer portal. Several top programs made a push for him, but Notre Dame — with its national platform, elite defense, and quarterback-friendly offensive coordinator in Mike Denbrock — made the most compelling case. Leonard’s arrival wasn’t just about adding depth. It was about filling a leadership void and elevating the offense.
Since stepping onto campus, Leonard has done everything expected of a starter. He’s taken command of the huddle, earned the respect of his teammates, and steadily improved each day in camp. Even after missing spring practice due to injury recovery, he’s shown no signs of rust. Instead, he’s been the steady presence Freeman clearly values — competitive but controlled, confident without being cocky.
Throughout fall camp, Leonard has operated as the de facto starter. He’s taken the majority of first-team reps, worked closely with Denbrock during individual periods, and spent extensive time building chemistry with Notre Dame’s top receivers and tight ends. In live drills, he’s exhibited the ability to stretch the field vertically, keep plays alive with his legs, and make accurate throws on the move. He’s also been vocal — not just barking out signals at the line, but leading discussions between drives, organizing off-the-field workouts, and holding himself and others accountable when mistakes happen.
All of this is what a starting quarterback does. Freeman may choose not to announce it publicly yet, but the internal reality reflects the obvious: Leonard is running the show.
That doesn’t mean the other quarterbacks in the room aren’t making strides. Kenny Minchey, the redshirt freshman with a smooth release and a sharp football IQ, has had moments in camp where he’s looked ready to push for the backup job. Steve Angeli, the veteran presence in the room, brings a reliable floor and a calm demeanor. And CJ Carr, the highly touted freshman, is already showing flashes of why the staff believes he’s the future of the program.
But none of them are on Leonard’s level — not yet, and certainly not in terms of being ready to lead a College Football Playoff-caliber team into a challenging early-season schedule. Notre Dame opens on the road against a reloaded Texas A&M squad and then hosts Louisville and USC, all within the first half of the season. There’s no margin for error. Freeman knows this. Denbrock knows this. And the quarterbacks themselves likely know it too.
Still, Freeman’s insistence on calling it an open battle serves a purpose. For one, it keeps everyone locked in. By avoiding a formal declaration, Freeman ensures that Leonard stays sharp and continues to earn the job every day. It also motivates Minchey, Angeli, and Carr to prepare as if they’re one play away — which, in a sport where injuries are inevitable, they very well could be.
It also speaks to Freeman’s overall philosophy. From the day he took over the program, he’s preached accountability, competition, and daily improvement. Naming a starter too early would run counter to that ethos. Even if everyone knows who’s leading the race, Freeman wants to make sure the process reflects the culture he’s building.
Leonard, to his credit, hasn’t gotten caught up in the talk. In media sessions, he’s respectful of the competition, complimentary of his fellow quarterbacks, and focused entirely on getting better. He doesn’t speak like someone who believes he has the job wrapped up — but his demeanor reflects the confidence of someone who knows he’s earned it. There’s a quiet edge to him, the kind that successful quarterbacks need. Not brash, not loud — just focused, prepared, and self-assured.
What makes Leonard’s position even stronger is his fit within Denbrock’s system. Back for his second stint at Notre Dame, Denbrock brings with him an offense that blends physicality with vertical explosiveness. It requires a quarterback who can process quickly, stretch the field, and improvise when plays break down. Leonard checks all of those boxes. His ability to run the zone read, escape pressure, and deliver strikes on the run adds a dimension Notre Dame has lacked at times in recent years. He may not have the biggest arm in the country, but he throws with timing, touch, and enough zip to hit windows in every level of the defense.
Beyond the skill set, Leonard’s maturity sets him apart. He’s battle-tested, having led Duke to multiple big wins in the ACC. He’s taken hits, rallied in close games, and handled pressure in hostile environments. That kind of experience is irreplaceable, especially for a team with playoff aspirations. Notre Dame isn’t in rebuild mode — it’s in pursuit mode. And that pursuit demands a quarterback who knows how to lead, especially when adversity hits.
Of course, there’s still work to be done. Leonard is still learning the playbook in full, still developing chemistry with his receivers, and still shaking off some rust from his injury layoff. There are practices where the timing is a beat off or a throw sails too high. But the trajectory is what matters — and Leonard’s arrow is clearly pointing up.
Meanwhile, Minchey continues to push, and that internal pressure is good for everyone. Denbrock has praised Minchey’s mechanics and decision-making. There may be packages or mop-up duty where he gets to show his stuff this fall, and he’s positioning himself well to compete for the job in 2026 if Leonard leaves after the season.
CJ Carr, while still raw, is perhaps the most exciting long-term prospect in the room. His high school tape showed a quarterback with elite touch, anticipation, and accuracy. The mental side of the college game will take time, but Carr’s physical gifts and demeanor suggest he’ll be ready sooner rather than later. For now, his role is to learn, grow, and absorb — and he’s embracing it.
But this season is about now. About maximizing a loaded defense, an improving offensive line, and a receiving corps that’s beginning to mature. To make it all work, Notre Dame needs stability, leadership, and playmaking at the most important position in the sport. And those qualities, collectively, point to one player: Riley Leonard.
At some point, likely midway through camp or during the week of the season opener, Freeman will make it official. He’ll say that after thorough evaluation and competition, Leonard has earned the starting job. And technically, he won’t be lying — Leonard is earning it. Every day. But the rest of us already know how this ends.
It’s not a mystery. It’s not a secret. Riley Leonard will start for Notre Dame in Week One. And if all goes to plan, he may be the one who finally helps lead the Irish back to the College Football Playoff.
