Notre Dame quarterback shuffle: new competition is sparked by Angeli’s transfer

The landscape of Notre Dame football took an unexpected turn this spring when quarterback Steve Angeli announced his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal. With Angeli’s departure, the Fighting Irish are staring down a pivotal quarterback competition that will not only shape the 2025 season but could also influence the long-term trajectory of Marcus Freeman’s tenure in South Bend.

The move comes just months after Angeli closed the 2024 campaign on a high note, leading Notre Dame to a dominant Sun Bowl victory over Oregon State and generating buzz as a potential heir to Sam Hartman. But with Angeli seeking a starting opportunity elsewhere, the Irish now face an accelerated quarterback battle — one that involves youth, raw talent, and pressure to deliver in a College Football Playoff-expanded era.

The Impact of Angeli’s Exit

Angeli’s transfer wasn’t entirely unexpected, given the increasingly fluid nature of quarterback depth charts across college football. Still, it leaves Notre Dame in a precarious position. A former four-star recruit from Bergen Catholic (N.J.), Angeli was considered the most game-ready option on the roster following Hartman’s departure. In the 2024 season, Angeli completed 70.2% of his passes for 652 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions in limited action.

His strong command of the offense and poise under pressure made him the presumptive favorite to start in 2025. But with his departure, the quarterback room is left without a single player who has started a game at the college level.

Meet the New Contenders

Now, Notre Dame turns its attention to a new cast of quarterbacks vying to take over the offense. Three main contenders have emerged in the wake of Angeli’s exit: redshirt freshman CJ Carr, sophomore Kenny Minchey, and true freshman Deuce Knight. Each offers a unique skill set — and questions that must be answered before Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock can feel confident in naming a starter.

CJ Carr: The Prodigy with Legacy Ties

Perhaps the most intriguing option is CJ Carr, the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr. A five-star recruit in the class of 2024, Carr enrolled early and impressed during bowl practices and early spring reps. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, he has all the tools: a quick release, natural accuracy, and high football IQ.

Carr is viewed as the future of Notre Dame football, and now that future might arrive sooner than expected.

“CJ is a natural leader,” Freeman said after an early spring scrimmage. “He’s picking up the offense faster than you’d expect from someone his age, and he’s got the kind of presence you want in a quarterback.”

However, Carr has yet to take a collegiate snap, and thrusting a redshirt freshman into a full-time starting role comes with risks — especially in a high-pressure program like Notre Dame.

Kenny Minchey: The Underrated Wild Card

Don’t overlook Kenny Minchey. The former four-star prospect out of Tennessee has been waiting patiently in the shadows, and Angeli’s transfer now gives him a legitimate shot to seize the starting job. Minchey played sparingly in 2024, appearing in three games and showing flashes of his dual-threat ability.

What Minchey brings to the table is a blend of athleticism and creativity. He’s not as polished as Carr or as dynamic as Knight, but he’s experienced, confident, and hungry.

“I feel like I’ve been preparing for this moment,” Minchey told reporters last week. “It’s about consistency now. I want to show the coaches I can run this offense and lead this team.”

Minchey’s leadership and quiet confidence may give him an edge, especially if Freeman opts for a more seasoned voice in the huddle to start the season.

Deuce Knight: The Future Star?

Then there’s Deuce Knight — the electric dual-threat phenom who could be Notre Dame’s most talented quarterback recruit since Jimmy Clausen. At 6-foot-5 with elite speed and a rocket arm, Knight is the kind of quarterback who turns heads every time he steps on the field.

But he’s also raw. Very raw.

Knight enrolled early and has dazzled at times in practice, but his inconsistency and learning curve are evident. Freeman and Denbrock have made it clear they’re not rushing Knight’s development, but the Angeli transfer may force them to accelerate the process more than they would prefer.

“Deuce is special — he’s got all the tools,” said Notre Dame quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli. “He’s still adjusting to the speed of the college game, but once it clicks, the sky’s the limit.”

Could Knight surprise and win the job outright? It’s unlikely — but not impossible.

What This Means for the Offense

Angeli’s presence provided a sense of stability heading into 2025. Without him, Notre Dame’s offense becomes something of a mystery — but also potentially more dynamic. Carr and Knight both bring higher upside than Angeli in terms of pure talent, but neither is a known commodity.

The wide receiver corps, led by Jayden Thomas and Tobias Merriweather, should help any new quarterback settle in. The offensive line returns three starters, and the running back room, featuring Gi’Bran Payne and Jadarian Price, offers depth and explosiveness. Still, the quarterback position will ultimately determine whether the Irish compete for a New Year’s Six bowl — or fall short.

Notre Dame’s schedule is also unforgiving. The Irish open the season against Texas A&M on the road before facing rivals USC and Clemson later in the year. Starting a young or inexperienced quarterback in those games could lead to growing pains.

Recruiting Implications and the Transfer Portal

Angeli’s departure could also affect how Notre Dame approaches the transfer portal in the coming months. Though Freeman has remained publicly committed to developing his young quarterbacks, the Irish are reportedly evaluating veteran transfer options as a contingency.

Names like former Washington State QB Cam Ward (if he withdraws from the NFL Draft) or other grad transfers could make sense if the staff feels the need for a steady hand. The spring portal window is open, and Notre Dame’s pitch — elite brand, strong supporting cast, and immediate playing time — could attract interest.

Additionally, the quarterback competition will shape future recruiting classes. Deuce Knight was the prized recruit of 2024, but Notre Dame is also targeting top quarterbacks in 2026 and beyond. How this current battle plays out could influence the decisions of top high school passers who are watching closely.

Locker Room Dynamics and Leadership

Quarterback battles often extend beyond the practice field, influencing locker room chemistry and team identity. With Angeli gone, the leadership void must be filled — and quickly.

Carr, Minchey, and Knight are all considered team-first players, but leadership must be earned. Freeman has emphasized communication, maturity, and poise as key factors in the decision-making process. Who can lead the team in tight games? Who do the players rally around when adversity strikes?

“That’s what we’re trying to learn right now,” Freeman said. “Quarterback is more than stats and arm strength. It’s about trust, accountability, and presence.”

Carr may be the most gifted passer. Minchey might be the most steady. Knight could be the most explosive. But none of that matters if they can’t lead the huddle.

A Pivotal Moment for Marcus Freeman

For Marcus Freeman, entering his fourth season as head coach, this quarterback competition is one of the most consequential decisions of his tenure. He’s built a strong culture, improved recruiting, and kept Notre Dame in the national conversation — but quarterback play has remained a limiting factor since Ian Book’s departure.

Freeman’s ability to manage this moment — to develop his young quarterbacks, keep the locker room aligned, and potentially identify a portal gem — will go a long way toward defining his next few years in South Bend.

There’s also a sense of urgency. With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams, Notre Dame’s path to postseason relevance is more accessible than ever — but only if the quarterback position stabilizes.

Steve Angeli’s transfer was a curveball that reshuffled Notre Dame’s quarterback depth chart and altered the trajectory of the 2025 season. It stripped away the safe option and replaced it with questions — but also opened the door to something potentially greater.

Will it be CJ Carr, the heralded prodigy with a famous bloodline and a sharp mind? Kenny Minchey, the steady hand who’s been waiting for his moment? Or Deuce Knight, the dynamic weapon who could change the ceiling of the entire offense?

Whoever wins the job will carry the weight of expectation and the hopes of a fanbase longing for a return to national contention. One thing is certain: the race is on, and Notre Dame football just got a lot more interesting.