Notre Dame football: What Steve Angeli’s transfer means for the Irish quarterback room
When Steve Angeli announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on April 17, 2025, the news reverberated across Notre Dame football, signaling a pivotal shift in the Fighting Irish’s quarterback room. While Angeli’s transfer marks the end of his tenure at Notre Dame, it is also an opportunity for the team to refocus its efforts on developing the next generation of quarterbacks. This development brings both questions and possibilities for Notre Dame, particularly when it comes to the future of the program’s quarterback depth.
For Notre Dame, quarterback stability is paramount. The team has been through a period of flux at the position, with multiple quarterbacks vying for the starting role over the past few seasons. Angeli’s departure further emphasizes the need to solidify the position and find a leader under center, someone who can take the reins of the offense and guide the team to the next level. With Angeli leaving, the Fighting Irish now face an important juncture in their quarterback development. The decision comes amid heightened competition in the quarterback room and the shifting priorities of the program. Let’s take a closer look at what Steve Angeli’s transfer means for the Notre Dame quarterback room and the potential implications for the team moving forward.
A Look Back at Steve Angeli’s Notre Dame Career
Before diving into the future implications of Angeli’s transfer, it’s important to first understand his background and time at Notre Dame. Angeli, a former four-star recruit from Bergen Catholic High School in New Jersey, was seen as one of the most promising quarterbacks in Notre Dame’s 2022 recruiting class. His high school career was filled with success, and he had the pedigree to be a future star in college football. When he committed to Notre Dame, expectations were high for Angeli to be a foundational player in the team’s quarterback room for years to come.
Angeli’s time at Notre Dame, however, was marked by limited opportunities. He redshirted his first year in 2022, then served as a backup to established quarterbacks like Sam Hartman and Tyler Buchner in 2023. Angeli appeared in nine games in the 2023 season, providing depth and allowing the coaching staff to develop the other quarterbacks ahead of him. He displayed solid performance in limited action, completing 34 of 44 passes for 504 yards and seven touchdowns. His most notable moment came in the Sun Bowl, where he started for an injured Tyler Buchner and led Notre Dame to a resounding 40-8 victory over Oregon State, throwing for 232 yards and three touchdowns.
In 2024, Angeli saw a similar role as a backup to starter Riley Leonard. He made a few appearances, completing 24 of 36 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns. Despite his success in limited action, it became clear that Angeli’s role in the team’s future was uncertain. The continued presence of a highly competitive quarterback room, including Leonard and the emergence of other quarterbacks, likely played a significant part in Angeli’s decision to transfer.
The Current State of the Quarterback Room
With Angeli’s transfer, Notre Dame’s quarterback depth chart has undergone a substantial shift. As it stands, the Fighting Irish have two main quarterbacks vying for the starting role: Kenny Minchey and CJ Carr.
Kenny Minchey
Kenny Minchey, a redshirt freshman from Tennessee, is a dual-threat quarterback known for his athleticism and ability to make plays both with his arm and his legs. Minchey has a strong arm and good vision, and he can extend plays with his mobility, making him a dangerous weapon in both the passing and running game. Although he has not been a starter yet, Minchey has shown flashes of potential during his limited appearances. In the 2024 season, he even contributed as a runner, adding a rushing touchdown to his resume.
Minchey’s ability to be a dual-threat quarterback gives him a unique edge. His athleticism could complement the offensive system that Marcus Freeman is trying to build at Notre Dame, which emphasizes balance and versatility. With his tools, Minchey could provide the Fighting Irish with a more dynamic offensive attack and possibly a starting option with a high ceiling.
CJ Carr
CJ Carr is another highly anticipated player in the quarterback room. Carr, a true freshman, comes to Notre Dame with a lot of promise and excitement surrounding his skill set. Carr is the grandson of former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr and has long been regarded as one of the top quarterback prospects in his class. He has excellent passing mechanics and a strong understanding of the game, which should allow him to adapt quickly to the college level.
While Carr’s freshman year was marred by an elbow injury, he is expected to be fully healthy for the upcoming season. His pedigree and talent make him an intriguing option for the starting role, and many believe he has the potential to become the future face of the program. However, as a true freshman, Carr will have to prove himself in competition with Minchey, who already has some college experience under his belt.
The Immediate Impact of Angeli’s Departure
Angeli’s departure means that Notre Dame will enter the 2025 season with a two-man quarterback race between Minchey and Carr. This development will undoubtedly have several immediate effects on the team’s preparations for the season and its long-term trajectory.
- Increased Competition for the Starting Role
With Angeli out of the picture, the quarterback competition has been effectively reduced to Minchey and Carr. Both players are now competing for the starting job, and this will likely lead to increased attention and focus on their development during the offseason. Given the uncertainty of the starting quarterback position, the coaching staff will likely provide both quarterbacks with ample opportunities to showcase their skills during spring practice and fall camp.
The decision regarding who will start under center for Notre Dame in 2025 will be crucial for the team’s success. A clear starting quarterback will allow the coaching staff to build the offense around that player’s strengths, but the competition will be fierce. Minchey’s dual-threat ability could give him an advantage in some situations, while Carr’s potential as a polished pocket passer could make him a long-term solution for the program. Both players have distinct styles and strengths, and it will be up to Marcus Freeman and the coaching staff to determine which quarterback is best suited to lead the team.
- Rising Pressure on Minchey and Carr
The competition for the starting job will place increased pressure on both Minchey and Carr. For Minchey, the opportunity to seize the starting role is within reach, but he will need to refine his game and prove that he can be consistent and efficient in leading the offense. His dual-threat abilities will certainly be an asset, but he must also continue to develop as a passer and improve his decision-making.
For Carr, the pressure is even higher. As a freshman with lofty expectations, Carr will need to quickly acclimate to the college game and demonstrate that he can compete at the highest level. While Carr has the pedigree and potential, the transition from high school to college football can be challenging for even the most highly regarded prospects. The onus will be on him to show that he is ready to take on the responsibility of leading a program like Notre Dame.
- Depth Concerns for Notre Dame
Another immediate concern for Notre Dame following Angeli’s departure is the potential lack of depth at the quarterback position. With only Minchey and Carr on the roster, the team now has just two scholarship quarterbacks available for the 2025 season. While both players are talented, the risk of injury or underperformance could become a real issue if the coaching staff does not address the depth situation.
It’s possible that Notre Dame could look to add another quarterback through the transfer portal or bring in a walk-on to provide some insurance. However, the coaching staff’s confidence in Minchey and Carr likely means that they are willing to roll with what they have for the time being. Depth is important at every position, and Notre Dame will need to be mindful of potential injury or attrition as the season progresses.
Long-Term Implications for Notre Dame Football
While the immediate impact of Angeli’s transfer may feel like a disruption, the long-term implications for Notre Dame football are positive. With both Minchey and Carr competing for the starting role, the program is poised to build around two highly talented quarterbacks who represent the future of the position. The shift to a younger quarterback duo could set the stage for Notre Dame to enjoy stability at the position for years to come.
Both Minchey and Carr bring different strengths to the table, but they share a common trait: potential. Notre Dame’s coaching staff will have the opportunity to mold these quarterbacks into the types of leaders and playmakers that can guide the team to success in the ACC and on the national stage. The future of the Fighting Irish quarterback position is bright, and while Angeli’s departure may be a setback in the short term, it opens the door for a new era of leadership at the most important position on the field.
Steve Angeli’s decision to transfer from Notre Dame signifies the end of his journey with the Fighting Irish, but it also opens the door to new possibilities for the program’s quarterback position. With Kenny Minchey and CJ Carr now at the forefront, Notre Dame faces a critical juncture in determining who will lead the team under center. The competition between these two young quarterbacks will be intense, and the outcome of that battle will have far-reaching implications for the team’s success in the coming seasons.
Notre Dame has always been a program that prides itself on developing quarterbacks who can perform at the highest level, and the future of the position looks promising with Minchey and Carr in the fold. As the Irish move forward, they will need to continue building depth and developing their quarterbacks into true leaders on the field. The departure of Steve Angeli is a pivotal moment in the program’s quarterback room, but it also represents a new chapter filled with potential.
