Notre Dame Quarterback Battle Heats Up After Shaky Start, With Over Half a Dozen Other Starting Roles Still Wide Open
Notre Dame quarterbacks threw four interceptions on Day 1 of fall camp, and while that might seem like a red flag, it’s only one layer of a much bigger picture unfolding in South Bend. The quarterback battle will dominate headlines until a decision is made, but the truth is, there are more than a half-dozen starting jobs up for grabs on this roster. The competition is fierce, and it’s not limited to who will succeed Riley Leonard at quarterback. Day 1 of fall camp didn’t just mark the return of football—it marked the beginning of a full-scale identity search for Marcus Freeman’s 2025 Irish.
Let’s start with the quarterbacks, since that’s where most eyes went and rightfully so. With Leonard gone to the NFL, Notre Dame finds itself in yet another transitional moment at the most important position in football. The four picks thrown on Day 1 weren’t ideal, but context matters. Fall camp is the time for reps, for stretching the playbook, and for taking risks. That said, turnovers are always concerning, especially when they come from multiple quarterbacks vying for the starting job.
Kenny Minchey, Steve Angeli, and early enrollee CJ Carr all took snaps on Thursday, and all had their moments—good and bad. Minchey looked the most comfortable of the group when working in rhythm. He had a few crisp throws and showed a strong command of short-to-intermediate concepts. But he also threw a red zone interception into double coverage, the kind of mistake that can’t happen on Saturdays. Angeli was aggressive, perhaps too aggressive, and tossed two interceptions trying to force deep shots. Carr, still learning the college speed, had a pick on a misread against zone coverage but also showed flashes of elite arm talent that makes it clear his time is coming.
None of the quarterbacks separated themselves, and while that’s not unexpected on Day 1, the leash won’t be long. Notre Dame has CFP aspirations, and the coaching staff needs to find a quarterback who can not only protect the ball but also make plays. The word out of camp is that this competition could go deep into August, and that may not be a bad thing. All three players have skill sets worth exploring. Minchey has poise and a quick release. Angeli brings experience and isn’t afraid to push the ball downfield. Carr is the most physically gifted and could be the future. But right now, Notre Dame needs a present.
Still, quarterback isn’t the only battle raging. In fact, you could argue that this is the most wide-open depth chart Notre Dame has had in years. There are clear opportunities at wide receiver, offensive line, linebacker, and safety, not to mention key special teams roles. These battles will shape the identity of the 2025 Irish and determine just how far this team can go.
At wide receiver, the departure of Chris Tyree and the uncertain health of Jayden Thomas have left the door open for multiple players to stake a claim. Tobias Merriweather, now an upperclassman, is the closest thing Notre Dame has to a locked-in starter, but even he has to prove he can be consistent week to week. Jaden Greathouse, who impressed as a freshman, had a strong showing on Day 1 and is being counted on to take the next step. Freshman Micah Gilbert made a strong first impression with his route running and ability to create separation. The staff is also high on Jordan Faison, who has emerged as a reliable target in the slot. But the group as a whole is still seeking a pecking order. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock wants to use tempo and spread principles, and that requires depth and reliability across the board. Right now, that’s still being sorted out.
Along the offensive line, Notre Dame is dealing with more change than usual. For years, the Irish have been able to pencil in NFL-caliber talent across the front five. But with Joe Alt and Blake Fisher both off to the NFL, there are real holes to fill. The left tackle spot is one of the biggest question marks on the team. Charles Jagusah is getting the first crack at it, but he’s raw and has struggled with speed off the edge. At right tackle, Aamil Wagner and Tosh Baker are competing, with neither pulling ahead decisively. Inside, there’s more stability, with Billy Schrauth and Pat Coogan holding down the guard spots, but even there, competition is ongoing, especially from Rocco Spindler and early enrollee Guerby Lambert, who is quickly gaining steam. Zeke Correll’s departure also opened up the center job, which Ashton Craig currently leads, but that too is far from decided. The offensive line is a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s identity, but this year’s version will have to earn that reputation from scratch.
Defensively, the open competitions are just as intense. Linebacker is particularly intriguing. JD Bertrand’s graduation leaves a leadership vacuum in the middle of the defense. Drayk Bowen is the favorite to fill that role, and he was active all over the field on Day 1. His instincts are real, and he’s shown flashes of being a sideline-to-sideline player. Still, he’s not alone. Jaylen Sneed is battling for the Rover spot and brings a level of speed and athleticism the Irish haven’t had there in years. The wild card might be Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, the freshman phenom who turned heads in the spring and picked up where he left off on Thursday. He flies to the ball and looks physically ready, even if mentally he’s still adjusting. The linebacker unit has depth, but the starting roles are wide open, and how that group shakes out will define Notre Dame’s defensive ceiling.
The secondary is dealing with its own transition. Benjamin Morrison is a locked-in star at corner, but the other corner spot is wide open following the departure of Cam Hart. Jaden Mickey and Christian Gray are battling it out, and both had solid moments on Day 1, though Mickey gave up a deep ball late in the session. At safety, Xavier Watts is the leader and heart of the back end, but the spot next to him is up for grabs. Antonio Carter, Ramon Henderson, and freshman Ivan Taylor are all in the mix. Carter had a solid camp last year but hasn’t cemented his role. Taylor is raw but immensely talented and had a great pass breakup on Day 1. These competitions may go down to the wire, and unlike previous years, the Irish don’t have the luxury of simply relying on veterans. Youth has to step up now.
Even on special teams, the jobs are wide open. Kicker, punter, and returner roles are all under evaluation. Spencer Shrader is gone, and there’s a real battle between transfer Will Reichard and freshman Owen McGinty for the kicking job. Reichard is more experienced, but McGinty has a stronger leg. At punter, freshman Ryan Eckley is making noise early with hang time and directional precision. And in the return game, several players—Greathouse, Faison, and Price among them—are rotating through both punt and kick return duties. With new special teams coordinator Marty Biagi trying to build on last year’s strong performances, these roles are far from settled.
All of this competition isn’t a bad thing—it’s actually a healthy sign of a deep and hungry roster. Marcus Freeman has emphasized competition from Day 1 of his tenure, and now it’s paying off in the form of genuine battles across nearly every position group. The key will be identifying the right combinations, building cohesion, and doing it quickly enough to be ready for an early-season slate that includes several potential pitfalls.
If there’s a concern, it’s that so many unresolved spots could create inconsistency early in the year. Notre Dame can’t afford a slow start. Last year’s loss to Louisville and tight contests against teams like Duke and NC State revealed just how fine the margins are in college football. Freeman has said repeatedly that he wants this team to be mentally tougher, more consistent, and better in late-game situations. That starts with knowing who you are, and that process is still underway.
But there’s also real upside here. A quarterback room filled with young talent. A wide receiver corps with untapped potential. A linebacker group bursting with speed and physicality. A secondary anchored by one of the best corners in the nation. This roster has the ingredients for a special season. But those ingredients still need to be mixed properly.
Thursday was only Day 1, but it set the tone. Mistakes were made, interceptions were thrown, and questions remain. But more importantly, competition is thriving. That’s what fall camp is for—finding out who can rise under pressure, who can lead, and who can be trusted when it counts most. Notre Dame doesn’t have all the answers yet, but it does have options. And in a season where the margin for error will be razor-thin, that might be the most important thing of all.
