Notre Dame football entered spring ball looking to narrow down its three-way quarterback race. The Irish had a difficult task in trying to find a replacement for Riley Leonard, who is headed to the NFL after leading Notre Dame to an appearance in the College Football Playoff national championship.
Earlier this spring, ESPN’s David Hale suggested the quarterback battle between CJ Carr and Steve Angeli would be among the most-watched battles in college football this spring.
“Marcus Freeman likes what he has to work with at the position,” Hale wrote. “But after two straight years with veteran QBs, Notre Dame will turn to someone without much playing time under his belt in 2025. Who? Well, that’s the big question. Steve Angeli has a leg up based on experience — even though he doesn’t have much of it — but redshirt freshman CJ Carr has a chance to be special.
“The battle to see who leads the offense will be among the most watched in all of college football, and finding the right answer might be the biggest obstacle between now and another playoff bid for Notre Dame.”
Notre Dame Football is set to lose a QB
© MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Image
One name Hale forgot to mention was sophomore Kenny Minchey. It appears Minchey and Carr beat out Angeli.
Per Pete Nakos with On3, Anegli is set to hit the transfer portal and could be an option for Tennessee.
“Notre Dame quarterback Steve Angeli is entering the transfer portal, a source told On3 on Thursday afternoon,” Nakos wrote. “With one season of eligibility remaining, the grad transfer will be one of the top available quarterbacks in the spring portal market.
“Angeli’s portal entry comes as Tennessee evaluates the quarterback market following their public divorce with Nico Iamaleava. Sources told On3 that the Volunteers will evaluate Angeli, but Tennessee continues to wait to see how the quarterback market develops.”
Is Steve Angeli the right fit for Tennessee?
Intel: https://t.co/PosQpMWrUI https://t.co/Pe8WXbMePT pic.twitter.com/2mU4LYLAmR
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) April 17, 2025
Steve Angeli played a crucial role in the CFP run
Angeli started in Notre Dame’s win in the Sun Bowl against Oregon State in 2023. He played a crucial role in leading the Irish down the field to score a field goal at the end of the first half of their 27-24 win over Penn State in the CFP Semifinal when Leonard was out with an injury.
Angeli threw for 504 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception in 2023. He added 268 passing yards and three touchdowns in 2024.
The junior from Westfield, New Jersey, should be a hot name in the transfer market this spring.
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Notre Dame football loses big name to rival USC in transfer portal
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