Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is facing a series of multiple-choice questions to determine his next quarterback. What began as a typical spring competition has evolved into a complex QB dilemma, leaving fans, analysts, and even the coaching staff perplexed. The Irish plan to rely on an in-house option for the 2025 season after investing in transfer QBs. Riley Leonard showcased both speed and accuracy in the 2024 season. Leonard led the crew with a fantastic 2861 passing yards and 21 touchdowns, with only 8 interceptions. However, Riley has moved on to the pros. That begs the question. Who’s the 2025 season QB for South Bend?
Competing drama stars Steve Angeli, Kenny Minchey, and CJ Carr vie for the starting signal-caller role. Tyler Wojciak of Locked On Irish was asked a question about the future QB for the Fighting Irish. Wojciak hilariously dissected Notre Dame’s 2025 quarterback battle, navigating Freeman’s complex competition. A reader asked the Irish insider, “If you had to place a bet on one of the three options involving Steve Angeli, Kenny Minchey, and CJ Carr, what would you pick? Number one: all three quarterbacks return after the spring. Number two: two quarterbacks return after the spring and one transfers. Option number three: one quarterback returns and two transfer.”
One downside of having a promising QB room is that all the options can claim the starting role. In such a situation, how do you convince a talented QB to be a backup? In the current era of college football, such a scenario leads to one of the QBs heading to the portal. We’ve seen that with numerous programs. So, the question is relevant.
Wojciak replied to that saying, “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’d honestly bet on all three coming back and that is certainly not something I expected to say before the start of spring practice.” How can all three come back? That means Marcus Freeman would be able to convince them of their role.
CJ Carr demonstrated absolute leadership and charisma as a 2024 recruiting class leader for Notre Dame by keeping the class united during a drama-free signing period. As the first offensive commit in the class, he worked very hard to attract wide receivers, particularly fresh talents like Nicholas Marsh and Braylon Jones. Steve Angeli, on the other hand, played vicariously during the 2024 season with 268 passing yards in 11 games. His steady hand makes him an appealing option for Freeman. Notre Dame’s wildcard, Kenny Minchey, is a quarterback who thrives under pressure. He had very limited stats last season but emerged as a strong contender during spring practice
Wojciak admires Carr’s abilities as he elaborates on why he thinks two can also transfer. “Number three could happen if CJ Carr won the job so definitively that he was already above Steve Angeli and Kenny.” But he also cautions fans about his injury recovery and adapting to a top program. Can CJ Carr seize the starting role, or will the Irish stick with their quarterback carousel tradition? Wojciak discusses CJ Carr’s ties to Lloyd Carr, suggesting CJ can secure Notre Dame’s future for Marcus Freeman.
Playoff Hopes hanging by a thread
As speculation swirls around the 2025 QB, Marcus Freeman faces a tough challenge with the opening game schedule. Kicking off the season against Miami and then hosting Texas A&M feels like deciphering a hieroglyphic map to success. The stakes are soaring, the schedule unforgiving—a tough test exposing weaknesses swiftly. The historical rivalry these programs have built adds to the drama. Miami’s 41-8 victory over Notre Dame at Hard Rock Stadium in 2017 still haunts Irish fans despite Notre Dame leading the all-time series 17-8-1. Miami’s recent home dominance intensifies the rivalry.
Wojciak advises the Fighting Irish to carefully select their quarterback this season without taking too much time to get in. The longer Freeman delays, the more reps he wastes, raising the chances of the Irish stumbling at the start. This situation emphasizes the urgent need for decisive action as Freeman’s indecisiveness becomes increasingly clear.
The expandability of the college football playoffs system has turned every game into a high-stakes audition. In September, Freeman encounters a crucial quarterback dilemma, necessitating swift decisions despite the paralysis of analysis.
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