Five thoughts on Notre Dame’s quarterback situation after Steve Angeli’s departure

With the announcement that Steve Angeli is entering the transfer portal following Notre Dame’s 2025 Blue-Gold Spring Game, head coach Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock are left reshuffling their quarterback depth chart yet again. Angeli’s exit is notable—not just because he was in the mix to start, but because it reinforces a recurring theme: quarterback instability in South Bend.

After years of relying on veteran transfers like Jack Coan, Sam Hartman, and now Riley Leonard, Notre Dame has struggled to develop and retain homegrown quarterback talent. With Angeli gone, here are five key takeaways that define the state of the quarterback position heading into the summer.

1. Riley Leonard’s Status as QB1 Is Now Cemented

Let’s not kid ourselves—Riley Leonard was always the frontrunner to start. The Duke transfer was brought in specifically to give Notre Dame a proven, dual-threat presence under center with the experience to navigate a Playoff-caliber schedule.

That said, Leonard missed the spring game as he continues rehabbing his ankle, and the Irish coaching staff was careful not to officially name a starter during spring ball. With Angeli now in the portal, the competition has effectively been decided by default. Leonard, assuming full health by fall camp, will enter Week 1 as the unquestioned QB1.

And that’s not a bad thing.

Leonard brings mobility, leadership, and the poise of a multi-year starter in the ACC. His experience playing under pressure and his ability to escape the pocket makes him an ideal fit for Mike Denbrock’s RPO-heavy system. Now, with no legitimate veteran behind him pushing for the job, the offense can start building completely around his strengths.

The key will be health. If Leonard stays upright, Notre Dame will have one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the country.

2. The Backup Spot Is Now a Massive Question Mark

With Angeli gone, the most immediate concern is this: who’s the No. 2 quarterback?

The options are thin on experience. Redshirt freshman Kenny Minchey showed flashes in the spring game, but also looked erratic at times. He has the tools—good arm, quick release—but still needs refinement in decision-making and pocket awareness.

Then there’s CJ Carr, the highly touted early enrollee freshman who is undoubtedly the future of the program, but he’s still in the developmental phase. Carr made some exciting throws in the spring game and possesses impressive poise for a true freshman. Still, it would be a tall ask to throw him into meaningful action this fall unless absolutely necessary.

The lack of an experienced backup raises the possibility that Notre Dame might look to the portal again—this time for a backup with starting experience who is willing to play a supporting role. Think someone in the mold of former Notre Dame backup Drew Pyne—a steady hand who can step in if needed but isn’t a long-term starter.

Either way, the staff now has a depth concern that must be addressed before August.

3. CJ Carr’s Timeline Might Be Accelerating

One of the biggest storylines of the spring was the progress of CJ Carr, the prized recruit out of Michigan and the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr. He was expected to redshirt in 2025, take the backup reins in 2026, and possibly start in 2027.

But now? That timeline might be speeding up.

Carr handled the spring spotlight with poise beyond his years. His touch on deep throws, pocket footwork, and overall command of the offense showed glimpses of a future star. If Riley Leonard were to miss time this season, Carr may actually be the best option—even over Minchey.

That’s a big “if,” of course. The staff would prefer to give Carr a full year to develop behind the scenes. But Angeli’s departure forces the issue. Carr is now, at worst, QB2. That’s both exciting and a little scary. You never want to rely on a true freshman unless you have to—but Carr might not give them a choice.

And let’s be clear: if he shines in limited opportunities this fall, don’t be surprised if he’s starting in 2026… or even sooner.

4. Angeli’s Departure Is a Loss, but Not a Devastating One

Let’s give Steve Angeli his flowers. He was a team-first guy who waited patiently behind others, made the most of his chances, and was widely respected in the locker room. In the 2023 Sun Bowl, Angeli was lights-out, throwing for 232 yards and three touchdowns in a blowout win over Oregon State. It looked like a possible turning point—a launching pad into a bigger role.

But with Leonard arriving and Carr already on campus, the writing was on the wall. Angeli likely saw the path to starting was closing. Still, losing a competent backup who knows the system hurts. There’s no sugarcoating that.

What’s more, it continues a troubling trend: Notre Dame’s inability to retain quarterback depth. In recent years, the Irish have seen Phil Jurkovec, Tyler Buchner, Drew Pyne, and now Angeli all transfer. Development pipelines are breaking down.

That said, Angeli is replaceable in terms of raw talent. He didn’t have elite physical tools but operated efficiently and with confidence. His leadership will be missed more than his arm.

5. Long-Term QB Stability Still Eludes Notre Dame

Even with a potential star in CJ Carr, the big-picture concern remains: Notre Dame hasn’t had a long-term answer at quarterback since Ian Book. That was four years ago.

Since then, the Irish have leaned heavily on the portal. Coan. Buchner. Pyne. Hartman. Leonard. The merry-go-round continues.

While this strategy has kept Notre Dame competitive, it’s also led to a lack of continuity. Offensive systems change. Chemistry is rebuilt every offseason. The team never gets to build around a quarterback for three or four years the way programs like Michigan (JJ McCarthy) or Georgia (Stetson Bennett) did during Playoff runs.

That’s why CJ Carr’s development is paramount. He’s the five-star, homegrown answer the Irish have been waiting for. If he hits, the revolving door can finally stop. If he doesn’t—or if he gets frustrated waiting his turn—Notre Dame could be right back in the portal next year.

It’s a fragile dynamic in the modern game, and Angeli’s departure highlights the challenges of managing a quarterback room in the portal era. Retaining elite prospects while bringing in proven transfers is a tightrope act. Notre Dame hasn’t quite nailed the balance yet.

Final Thoughts

Steve Angeli’s exit isn’t a program-breaking loss, but it does raise real questions for Notre Dame moving forward. Riley Leonard is the present, and CJ Carr is the future—but the space between them just got a whole lot thinner.

Can Kenny Minchey step up and claim the backup job?
Will CJ Carr be ready if called upon this fall?
Does Notre Dame need to hit the portal for another QB?
Can the Irish finally stabilize the position with a long-term solution?

Those are the questions Marcus Freeman and his staff must answer in the coming weeks.

The quarterback is the most important position in football. Right now, Notre Dame’s top-end talent is in place—but the depth chart behind it is as fragile as it’s been in years. The road to the College Football Playoff will demand clarity, stability, and perhaps a little luck at the most critical spot on the roster.