Notre Dame Quarterbacks Embrace Early Camp Battles, Learn Through Mistakes, and Compete for Control of Irish Offense Under High Expectations
As the first week of Notre Dame football’s fall camp unfolds, all eyes are on the quarterbacks — and for good reason. The position, always a lightning rod in South Bend, is once again at the center of attention as a heated competition brews under the summer sun. Riley Leonard, Kenny Minchey, Steve Angeli, and freshman CJ Carr are each taking snaps, making throws, and, just as importantly, making mistakes. But no one is panicking. In fact, the early tone from camp is one of resilience and growth — a group unafraid to learn in real time as they compete for one of college football’s most scrutinized jobs.
Mistakes are happening, as expected. Passes are being tipped, timing is off on certain routes, and communication lapses are leading to occasional breakdowns. But none of this is alarming to the coaching staff. Head coach Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock have emphasized that now is the time for errors — the controlled chaos of camp is where development truly happens. The quarterbacks, for their part, are taking it all in stride. Each rep, good or bad, is treated as an opportunity to sharpen mechanics, deepen command of the offense, and forge chemistry with receivers.
Riley Leonard, the presumed frontrunner and graduate transfer from Duke, is steadily settling into his role as both a competitor and a leader. Having missed spring practice due to injury, Leonard is still building timing with his new receivers, and it shows at times. There have been overthrows, underthrows, and a few missed reads. But there’s also a sense of calm about him. Leonard isn’t flustered. He takes coaching well, bounces back after miscues, and has already shown the mobility and toughness that made him one of the top transfer quarterbacks in the country.
Leonard’s leadership has begun to shine through even amid the ups and downs. In between reps, he’s often seen encouraging younger teammates, offering quick coaching points to receivers, or going over protections with the offensive line. The command is growing. The arm strength is there. The athleticism is intact. Now it’s about marrying all of that with the timing and decision-making that this offense requires. And as Leonard himself said after a recent practice, “You don’t learn anything by being perfect. You learn by pushing yourself into uncomfortable spots, then coming out of them better.”
Meanwhile, sophomore Kenny Minchey continues to show he belongs in the conversation. A talented passer with a compact release and solid footwork, Minchey has looked sharp in stretches, especially during red-zone drills. His ability to make quick reads and hit tight windows has been evident, though like Leonard, he’s had his share of mental errors. Still, the coaching staff has praised his growth from spring to now, pointing to his improved confidence and grasp of the playbook. While he may be a step behind Leonard in experience, Minchey is making a strong case that he can handle the moment if called upon.
Steve Angeli, entering his third year in the program, brings valuable familiarity and steadiness. While perhaps not as flashy as Leonard or as buzzed-about as Minchey or Carr, Angeli continues to make smart decisions in camp and has been particularly effective in situational drills. His ability to stay poised when things break down has earned him reps with the second team, and his teammates frequently note his calming presence in the huddle. Angeli is unlikely to be the starter unless things shift dramatically, but his consistency and understanding of the offense give the Irish a reliable option should depth be tested during the season.
Then there’s CJ Carr — the true freshman and blue-chip recruit whose name sparks the most excitement among fans. Carr has flashed both brilliance and inexperience in his early camp work. There are moments where he zips a perfectly timed pass into a tight window and others where he misreads coverage or hesitates on a read. But the raw tools are undeniable. Carr’s release is clean, his footwork is advanced for his age, and he carries himself with the poise of someone beyond his years. What stands out most is his willingness to compete — not just to participate, but to win. He doesn’t shrink from mistakes. He learns, asks questions, and responds. That mindset, more than anything, has the staff optimistic about his future.
Mike Denbrock, now back at Notre Dame after his successful stint at LSU, is tasked with molding this quarterback room into a cohesive, efficient engine for his multiple, pro-style offense. Denbrock has brought a new level of urgency and detail to every practice. Quarterbacks are being asked to process quickly, make checks at the line, and stretch the field more aggressively than in recent years. That transition has led to hiccups, as expected. But Denbrock isn’t concerned. He views the early missteps as necessary growing pains, the cost of installation. His message has been consistent: mistakes now are investments in execution later.
Denbrock has also emphasized the importance of competition. “No one is being handed anything,” he said in a recent media session. “The guy who executes the best, who leads, who handles adversity — that’s the guy who will play.” That meritocratic approach has created a healthy intensity within the group. Teammates are competing hard, but they’re also supporting one another. The quarterback room is tight-knit, filled with mutual respect and shared goals, even as each player tries to separate himself.
That internal competition is having a ripple effect throughout the offense. Receivers are stepping up, knowing they need to be crisp in their routes and on the same page with quarterbacks still finding their rhythm. Tight ends are being asked to do more in the passing game, especially in Denbrock’s layered route concepts. Running backs are working on protection schemes, knowing that blitz pickups could be the difference between a clean pocket and a broken play. The entire offense is rising to meet the challenge, because the quarterbacks are being held to a higher standard.
For Marcus Freeman, this quarterback competition is exactly what he hoped for when fall camp began. He wanted energy. He wanted accountability. He wanted players to be unafraid of failure. And he’s getting all of that. Freeman has been visible and vocal during quarterback drills, often pulling players aside for quick feedback. His message echoes Denbrock’s: embrace the grind, own your mistakes, and lead with intent.
It’s still early, and the staff is far from making a decision on the starting quarterback. Leonard remains the favorite, but Freeman has said repeatedly that no final call will be made until someone clearly earns it. The goal is to have the starter emerge naturally — not through hype or potential, but through consistency and trust.
In the meantime, the quarterbacks are continuing to evolve. Every throw is being charted. Every decision is being evaluated. Film sessions are detailed, brutally honest, and designed to reinforce habits that will translate under pressure. What separates good quarterbacks from great ones isn’t perfection — it’s how quickly they bounce back from imperfection.
In many ways, the early weeks of fall camp are less about naming a starter and more about establishing identity. Notre Dame doesn’t just need a quarterback — it needs a tone-setter, a leader who can steer the ship through a schedule that includes the likes of Texas A&M, Louisville, USC, and Florida State. The Irish will need someone who can handle adversity, rally the team, and stay composed in the biggest moments.
That kind of quarterback isn’t born from comfort — he’s forged in the fire of camp battles, miscues, and constant scrutiny. Right now, Notre Dame’s quarterbacks are embracing that fire. They’re shrugging off mistakes not because they don’t care, but because they understand what’s required. The goal is not to be flawless on Day One. The goal is to be unshakable on Day One Hundred.
There’s still a long road ahead. More practices, more scrimmages, more reps. The competition is far from over, and the depth chart remains fluid. But the foundation is being laid. With each throw, each correction, and each bounce-back moment, the Irish are one step closer to finding their quarterback — not just in name, but in purpose.
And when that player emerges, he’ll be more than the product of talent. He’ll be the product of lessons learned, mistakes overcome, and a camp that demanded nothing less than growth.
