Notre Dame Quarterback Competition: Is Perception Reality for the Irish in 2025?

Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, August 11th 2025 at 1:59 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey took very different paths to the quarterback battle.

Notre Dame QB Competition for 2025: Perception vs. Reality

In the ever-evolving landscape of college football, few positions generate as much intrigue and speculation as the quarterback role at Notre Dame. As the Fighting Irish gear up for the 2025 season, the narrative surrounding their quarterback competition has been a hot topic among fans, analysts, and insiders. The prevailing perception is one of a wide-open battle, with multiple talented signal-callers vying for the starting spot in what could be a pivotal year for head coach Marcus Freeman's program. However, a closer examination reveals a more nuanced reality, where experience, recruiting pedigree, and strategic decisions by the coaching staff might tilt the scales in favor of certain candidates, potentially making the competition less egalitarian than it appears on the surface.

To understand this dynamic, it's essential to start with the current state of affairs in 2024. Riley Leonard, the transfer from Duke, has been entrenched as the starter this season, bringing a dual-threat capability that has helped stabilize the offense after a rocky start. Leonard's performance has been solid, if not spectacular, with his mobility and decision-making providing a foundation for Notre Dame's playoff aspirations. But Leonard is a senior, and his eligibility will expire after 2024, leaving a void that must be filled. This sets the stage for the 2025 competition, which has been framed by many as a four-way race involving Steve Angeli, CJ Carr, Kenny Minchey, and incoming freshman Deuce Knight.

The perception of an open competition stems largely from Notre Dame's recent history and the depth of talent in the quarterback room. Fans point to the program's tradition of merit-based selections, where no one is handed the job without earning it. Steve Angeli, a redshirt junior, has already seen meaningful game action, including a start in the Sun Bowl where he threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. His poise and arm strength have earned him praise, positioning him as a veteran option who could provide continuity. Then there's CJ Carr, the highly touted sophomore and grandson of legendary Michigan coach Lloyd Carr. As a former four-star recruit, Carr has been groomed for big moments, and his limited appearances in mop-up duty have shown flashes of precision passing and football IQ.

Adding to the mix is Kenny Minchey, another sophomore with impressive athleticism and a strong arm, who transferred in from Pitt but has yet to see significant playing time at Notre Dame. His potential is undeniable, but he remains somewhat of an enigma due to his lack of on-field exposure in South Bend. The wildcard is Deuce Knight, a five-star flip from Auburn who committed to Notre Dame late in the recruiting cycle. Knight's elite arm talent, size (6-foot-5), and mobility make him a prototypical modern quarterback, drawing comparisons to stars like Jalen Hurts. The perception is that with such a stacked room, the competition will be fierce, with spring practices and fall camp serving as the ultimate proving grounds. Media outlets and fan forums buzz with debates over who has the edge, often highlighting the democratic nature of Freeman's approach, where performance in practice and games will dictate the starter.

Yet, this perception clashes with a more grounded reality shaped by coaching philosophies, player development timelines, and the harsh truths of college football's transfer portal era. In truth, the competition may not be as wide-open as advertised. Sources close to the program suggest that CJ Carr is quietly emerging as the frontrunner, thanks to his pedigree, early enrollment, and the trust he's built with offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock. Carr's familiarity with the system—having spent a full year learning under Leonard—gives him a leg up over newcomers like Knight, who will need time to acclimate despite his raw talent. Denbrock's offense, which emphasizes timing, accuracy, and quick reads, aligns well with Carr's skill set, potentially making him the natural successor.

Steve Angeli, while experienced, faces questions about his ceiling. His Sun Bowl performance was impressive, but it came against a depleted Oregon State team, and his limited mobility might not fit the evolving demands of Notre Dame's scheme, which increasingly incorporates run-pass options. Angeli could serve as a reliable backup or even compete for starts, but the reality is that Notre Dame's staff might prefer to invest in younger, higher-upside players to build for the long term. Kenny Minchey represents another layer of complexity; his athletic gifts are tantalizing, but inconsistent practice reports and the depth chart's pecking order have kept him on the sidelines. There's a real possibility that Minchey could enter the transfer portal if he doesn't see a clear path to playing time, a common occurrence in today's game where patience is a rare commodity.

Deuce Knight's arrival adds excitement but also realism checks. As a true freshman, even one as gifted as Knight, the leap from high school to Power Five football is daunting. Historical precedents at Notre Dame—think of how long it took for quarterbacks like Ian Book or Sam Hartman to fully settle in—suggest Knight might redshirt or play sparingly in 2025, preserving his eligibility while he develops. The coaching staff, led by Freeman and Denbrock, has emphasized patience with young quarterbacks, avoiding the pitfalls of rushing them into action only to stunt their growth. This approach underscores a key reality: Notre Dame isn't just competing for 2025 wins; they're building a sustainable contender in the expanded playoff era.

Broader factors influence this quarterback saga as well. Recruiting success under Freeman has bolstered the position group, but it also heightens expectations. The Irish's 2024 season, marked by a strong defense and offensive improvements, has raised the stakes for 2025, where anything short of a playoff berth could be seen as a disappointment. Perception often paints the competition as a meritocracy where the best man wins, but reality involves intangibles like leadership, locker room dynamics, and injury contingencies. For instance, if Leonard suffers an injury in 2024, it could accelerate the timeline for others, reshaping the 2025 landscape.

In dissecting perception versus reality, it's clear that while the quarterback room is loaded with talent, the path forward isn't a free-for-all. CJ Carr's combination of readiness and upside positions him as the likely heir apparent, with Angeli as a steady hand and Knight as the future star. Minchey's role remains fluid, potentially hinging on his development. Notre Dame fans should temper expectations of a dramatic, multi-player battle; instead, the reality points to a strategic succession plan designed to maximize the program's potential. As spring ball approaches, all eyes will be on how these narratives unfold, but the groundwork laid in 2024 suggests the competition might be more predetermined than the hype suggests. This quarterback conundrum encapsulates the blend of tradition and modernity at Notre Dame, where perception fuels excitement, but reality drives decisions. (Word count: 928)

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