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Notre Dame 2025 Quarterback Competition: Ranking the Contenders

Notre Dame Football: Quarterback Depth Chart Preview for 2024 Season

As the Notre Dame Fighting Irish gear up for the 2024 college football season, the quarterback position stands out as one of the most intriguing and pivotal aspects of the team's offensive strategy. Under head coach Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, the Irish are looking to build on their 10-3 record from last year, which included a dominant Sun Bowl victory over Oregon State. The quarterback room has undergone significant changes, blending experienced transfers with promising young talents, creating a mix of immediate reliability and long-term potential. This preview delves into the depth chart, player profiles, and what fans can expect from this critical group as Notre Dame aims for a College Football Playoff berth.

At the top of the depth chart sits Riley Leonard, the graduate transfer from Duke who brings a wealth of starting experience and dual-threat capabilities to South Bend. Leonard, a 6-foot-4, 212-pound senior, was a highly sought-after portal addition after a standout career with the Blue Devils. In his time at Duke, he demonstrated poise under pressure, accurate passing, and impressive mobility, which made him a perfect fit for Denbrock's pro-style offense that emphasizes rhythm passing and quarterback runs. Last season, despite being hampered by injuries, Leonard showcased his arm talent and decision-making, completing passes at a high clip and adding value on the ground. His arrival addresses the inconsistency Notre Dame experienced at quarterback in recent years, particularly after the departure of players like Sam Hartman, who transferred in for 2023 and provided a steady hand but left a void upon exhausting his eligibility.

Leonard's transition to Notre Dame has been smooth, with spring practices highlighting his leadership and quick adaptation to the playbook. Coaches have praised his work ethic and ability to elevate those around him, which is crucial for a team with a reloaded receiving corps and a strong running back stable. If Leonard stays healthy—a key caveat given his injury history—he could be the catalyst for an offense that pushes Notre Dame into the top tier of national contenders. His style draws comparisons to past Irish greats like Ian Book, combining pocket presence with the ability to extend plays. Expect Leonard to start every game barring unforeseen circumstances, with his performance potentially dictating the team's ceiling in high-stakes matchups against teams like Texas A&M, Florida State, and USC.

Backing up Leonard is Steve Angeli, a junior who has patiently waited his turn after serving as a reserve in previous seasons. Angeli, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound signal-caller from New Jersey, got his first real taste of action in the Sun Bowl, where he threw for over 200 yards and three touchdowns in a blowout win. That performance was a glimpse of his potential: a strong arm, good accuracy on intermediate routes, and composure in the pocket. However, Angeli's limited game experience means he's still developing in areas like reading complex defenses and handling blitzes. In spring ball, he showed improvement in footwork and decision-making, benefiting from Denbrock's tutelage, which draws from his successful stints at LSU and Cincinnati.

Angeli's role this season will likely be that of a reliable No. 2, ready to step in if Leonard misses time. His familiarity with the program—he's been with Notre Dame since 2021—gives him an edge over newer faces in the room. Coaches view him as a steady hand who can manage games effectively, though he lacks the elite athleticism of some peers. If called upon, Angeli could provide stability, but the Irish would prefer to keep him in a developmental spot, allowing him to gain more reps without the pressure of starting. His progression will be key, as Notre Dame has a history of grooming backups into starters, and Angeli fits that mold.

Further down the depth chart, the excitement builds with Kenny Minchey, a sophomore who redshirted last year after enrolling early as a highly rated recruit. Minchey, standing at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, hails from Tennessee and was a four-star prospect known for his arm strength and improvisational skills. During his high school days at Pope John Paul II, he threw for thousands of yards and led his team to state prominence, drawing scouts' attention with his velocity on deep balls and ability to escape pressure. At Notre Dame, Minchey has been soaking up knowledge, participating in scout team duties that have honed his understanding of defensive schemes.

In spring practices, Minchey turned heads with his raw talent, occasionally outshining expectations in drills. His upside is immense—he possesses the tools to be a future starter, with a quick release and the athleticism to make plays outside the structure. However, like many young quarterbacks, consistency is his biggest hurdle; he needs to refine his accuracy on shorter routes and reduce turnovers in simulated game scenarios. Denbrock has been hands-on with Minchey, emphasizing fundamentals that could accelerate his growth. If injuries strike the top of the depth chart, Minchey could see spot duty, but the plan is to preserve his redshirt eligibility while building his confidence. Fans should watch for him in mop-up situations or spring games next year, as he represents the bridge to Notre Dame's quarterback future.

The wildcard in this group is true freshman CJ Carr, the grandson of legendary Michigan coach Lloyd Carr and a five-star recruit who chose Notre Dame over offers from powerhouses like Alabama and Georgia. At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Carr arrives with immense hype, having dominated at Saline High School in Michigan with pinpoint accuracy, elite pocket awareness, and leadership qualities that belie his age. His commitment was a recruiting coup for Freeman, signaling Notre Dame's ability to attract top talent in the NIL era.

Carr's early enrollment allowed him to participate in spring practices, where he impressed with his poise and quick learning curve. Videos from camp show him threading needles in tight windows and displaying the football IQ inherited from his family lineage. That said, as a freshman, he's expected to redshirt and develop behind the veterans, focusing on adding bulk to his frame and mastering the college-level playbook. Denbrock has drawn parallels between Carr and former pupils like Joe Burrow, noting his natural feel for the game. While it's unlikely Carr sees meaningful snaps in 2024 unless catastrophe hits the QB room, his presence adds depth and excitement. He's the type of talent that could challenge for the starting job as early as 2025, making him a cornerstone of Notre Dame's long-term plans.

Overall, the quarterback depth chart for Notre Dame in 2024 projects as follows: Riley Leonard as the unquestioned starter, Steve Angeli as the primary backup, Kenny Minchey as the third-string option with breakout potential, and CJ Carr rounding out the room as a developmental prospect. This setup provides a balance of experience and youth, mitigating risks associated with injuries or underperformance. The group's chemistry has been a point of emphasis in camp, with Leonard mentoring the younger players and fostering a competitive yet supportive environment.

What makes this QB room particularly strong is its versatility. Leonard's dual-threat nature allows for schematic flexibility, while Angeli offers a more traditional pocket-passing style. Minchey and Carr bring athletic dynamism that could evolve the offense in future years. Challenges remain, such as ensuring Leonard's durability and accelerating the youngsters' growth, but the coaching staff's track record—Denbrock helped develop Heisman winner Jayden Daniels at LSU—bodes well.

As Notre Dame opens the season against Texas A&M on August 31, all eyes will be on Leonard to set the tone. If he thrives, the Irish could contend for a national title; if not, the depth behind him ensures the team won't miss a beat. This quarterback contingent embodies the program's resurgence under Freeman: talented, resilient, and poised for success. Fans in South Bend have reason to be optimistic—the golden dome might just shine a little brighter this fall with this group leading the charge. (Word count: 1,128)

Read the Full Sports Illustrated Article at:
[ https://www.si.com/college/notredame/football/notre-dame-quarterback-qb-preview-depth-chart-preview-cj-carr-kenny-minchey ]