Alright, folks, buckle up. This is going to be a bumpy ride through the winding roads of Notre Dame football’s quarterback drama. Somehow, we’re at the edge of our seats, pondering who will take the reins next season. Spoiler: We don’t really know… yet.
So, here’s the scoop—word is out that Steve Angeli, Notre Dame’s go-to QB, has decided to exit stage left. Yeah, he’s off to find greener pastures via the transfer portal. He’s not just ghosting; he’s been pivotal, especially after the Sun Bowl’s jamboree and that win against Penn State in the Orange Bowl. That was quite the fiesta, no? Anyway, he’s a graduate transfer now. What a wildcard move! I didn’t see this coming.
With Angeli bowing out, it’s time for the dynamic duo, CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey, to shine. Or sweat. Or both. Last season, our pals each had a whole four snaps, in a Purdue game that wasn’t exactly a nail-biter. Now, the spotlight—hello, pressure—will be on them against Miami and then Texas A&M. Talk about getting thrown into the deep end! Marcus Freeman, the coach with possibly the most nerves of steel right now, is ready to roll the dice on these guys.
Post-spring game chatter was abuzz with Freeman hinting at narrowing the QB race down to two, to avoid the chaos of a three-way tango. He had it sketched out in his mind before Angeli dropped the bombshell. Efficiency is key, yeah? I mean, you don’t want quarterbacks tripping over each other, like a bad rom-com.
Spring game stats—if you’re the numbers type—didn’t exactly carve a clear path for Angeli. He fired 8-of-11 for 108 yards and notched a touchdown. Looked shaky at first but then nailed seven straight. Carr, by comparison, clocked 14-of-19, threw for 170 yards, two touchdowns but also a dreaded interception. Minchey? 6-of-14 for 106 yards and even legged it for a touchdown.
Choosing Angeli would’ve been as safe as carrying a backup parachute—reliable, familiar. Only, it felt like settling. I mean, considering the new blood like Carr and Minchey, both itching to prove their mettle. Plus, they’d previously snatched up Hartman and Leonard, which ticked off fans (and probably Angeli)—so what gives?
Freeman’s decided to take a leap, seeing that Carr is back in action post-elbow drama and Minchey’s caught up with the offensive schemes. They’re all in now, these youngsters, with Angeli making his graceful exit. Guess we’ll find out soon if flying that kite without a net pays off.
(Michael Reaves, kudos for the epic photo that somehow makes this all feel like an epic sports flick.)
