Inside Notre Dame Football: Quarterback Battles, Preseason Camp Highlights, and What the USC Rivalry Means for the 2025 Season
As Notre Dame football gears up for the 2025 season, excitement and expectations are high in South Bend. With a rich tradition and a consistently competitive program, the Fighting Irish once again find themselves in the national spotlight, and this year’s team could be one of the more intriguing squads in recent memory. Between an ongoing quarterback battle, a deep and talented roster, and the always-intense USC rivalry looming large, the storylines are stacking up before the first snap is even played. In the latest episode of the “Pod of Gold” podcast, the conversation centered around where the Irish stand at this point in fall camp, who is emerging as a leader under center, and how the annual clash with the Trojans could shape Notre Dame’s playoff hopes.
Preseason camp is often the most critical time of the year for a college football program. It’s when coaches start to separate starters from backups, identify breakout stars, and build the identity of their team. For Marcus Freeman and his staff, this camp feels especially important. Last season ended with flashes of promise but also reminders of where the team needs to improve. A few close losses kept Notre Dame from making a New Year’s Six bowl game, and the offseason has been about tightening up the areas that cost them in crunch time.
One of the biggest questions — and the most discussed topic on the podcast — is the quarterback situation. Notre Dame enters the season without a clear-cut starter, and while some may view that as a concern, Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock see it as a sign of healthy competition. The quarterback room is talented, experienced in different ways, and full of potential.
The frontrunners appear to be junior Steve Angeli and redshirt freshman CJ Carr. Angeli brings more in-game experience and has impressed coaches with his decision-making, composure, and command of the offense. He may not have the highest ceiling, but he’s proven to be steady and capable — two traits that Freeman values deeply. On the other hand, Carr — the prized recruit from the 2024 class — has all the physical tools you want in a modern college quarterback. He has the arm strength, the mobility, and a natural feel for the game that’s hard to teach. The coaching staff has been careful not to rush his development, but according to insiders, Carr is pushing hard for the starting job.
The podcast highlighted how each scrimmage and practice rep in camp is being evaluated closely, not just for stats or flashy plays but for leadership, poise, and consistency. Freeman has said multiple times that he wants a quarterback who can manage the game, take care of the ball, and elevate the players around him. While Angeli might check those boxes today, Carr’s upside makes the decision anything but straightforward. The Irish haven’t ruled out the possibility of playing both in the early weeks to see how things play out on the field rather than just in practice.
Beyond the quarterback battle, the podcast also dove into some of the other standouts from camp. Notre Dame’s offensive line, always a staple of the program’s identity, looks to be one of the best units in the country again. Joe Alt may be gone to the NFL, but players like Blake Fisher and Charles Jagusah have stepped up and anchored a group that should give whoever wins the QB job ample protection. The running back room is deep and versatile, with Jadarian Price expected to take on a larger role this year alongside Jeremiah Love and Gi’Bran Payne.
Wide receiver is another position drawing attention. Last year’s inconsistency in the passing game wasn’t entirely on the quarterbacks — the receiver group struggled to separate against top defenses. But that seems to be changing. Freshman Cam Williams has turned heads in camp, with multiple sources calling him the best receiver prospect Notre Dame has had in years. Combined with veterans like Tobias Merriweather and Jayden Thomas, the Irish finally have the kind of weapons outside that can stretch the field and stress defenses vertically.
Defensively, there’s optimism — and for good reason. Al Golden’s unit was quietly one of the best in the nation in 2024, and most of the key contributors are back. The secondary is especially loaded, with Benjamin Morrison returning as a lockdown corner and Xavier Watts anchoring the safety group. The defensive line has depth and experience, while the linebackers are fast, aggressive, and smart. There’s a sense that this could be a championship-caliber defense, the kind that can keep Notre Dame in any game regardless of how the offense performs.
But as the podcast made clear, it’s not just about personnel — it’s about mentality. Marcus Freeman’s message to his team this offseason has been about finishing. Last year, close games against Ohio State, Clemson, and Louisville slipped away due to small mistakes and missed opportunities. Freeman wants a team that’s tougher, more disciplined, and more confident in high-pressure situations. It’s one thing to be talented; it’s another to execute in the fourth quarter when it matters most.
No conversation about Notre Dame football is complete without mentioning USC, and the “Pod of Gold” team dedicated a solid portion of their discussion to the rivalry. The Trojans may be going through a transitional period after losing Caleb Williams to the NFL, but they still boast one of the most talented rosters in the country. Lincoln Riley’s offense will always be dangerous, and with the game set to be played under the lights in Los Angeles, it could be one of the most pivotal matchups of the 2025 college football season.
The rivalry has taken on new weight in recent years. It’s not just a regional grudge match anymore — it’s often a battle with playoff implications. The Irish beat USC last year in South Bend, with the defense harassing Caleb Williams all night. But the road trip this year will be far more difficult. Riley will have had a full year to develop his new quarterback, and USC’s defense, which has been much maligned over the past two seasons, appears to be trending upward.
For Notre Dame, the USC game is more than just a chance to beat a rival — it’s a national statement opportunity. The Irish have been right on the edge of the College Football Playoff in multiple seasons under Freeman, but they haven’t quite been able to crack through. A win at the Coliseum — especially if USC is ranked in the top 10 — could be the kind of signature victory that propels Notre Dame into the top four discussion.
The podcast emphasized how much that game will mean emotionally, too. Players on both sides know the history. They know the legends who have played in that rivalry. For guys like Morrison, Watts, and Price — all leaders on this team — beating USC again would cement their legacy in South Bend. And for Freeman, a win would go a long way toward silencing any remaining critics and proving that he’s not just building a strong program, but a special one.
There’s still plenty of work to do before the Irish take the field for Week 1. But the vibes coming out of camp are strong. This is a focused, hungry team with enough veterans to lead the way and enough young talent to push for greatness. The “Pod of Gold” crew was quick to point out that while the schedule is tough — with games against Texas A&M, Florida State, and of course, USC — this could be the kind of year where the Irish put it all together.
If the quarterback question gets answered the right way, and if the offense finds a rhythm early, Notre Dame has a legitimate path to the Playoff. The defense will keep them in every game. The talent is there. The coaching staff is experienced. And the hunger — after so many near-misses — is very real.
So as preseason camp continues and the countdown to kickoff gets shorter, the excitement in South Bend is palpable. There’s a belief in this team, not just from the fans or the media, but from within the locker room. The Irish know they have something special. Now it’s about proving it on the field — one play, one game, one moment at a time.
