As labored and stereotypical as it sounds, football teams only go as far as their quarterback takes them. It rings true and will perpetually. Even for a roster brimming with talent like Notre Dame’s, it remains true. HC Marcus Freeman, still relatively new to the capacity, has his first real QB battle to contend with in South Bend. A decision that could shake the skywards trajectory of his program. Riley Leonard’s time has ceased, and coach Freeman needs to find a suitable successor. 

A trifecta of QBs with varying skill sets forms the proverbial battle.  The Irish do have a lot of talent in their quarterback room. From Kenny Minchey and Steve Angeli to CJ Carr, they have great options who did bits in high school. 

And they share one thing in common–their experience, or lack thereof. None of them is are 5-star recruits. Now, that’s hardly the benchmark for how a high schooler will perform in college. Riley Leonard is a prime example of how it ought to be.

But it’s interesting that Marcus Freeman has more 5-stars littered across the rest of the roster than downtown LA. Yet, the most important position group is missing out completely. What’s more onerous is that the 3 players have a grand total of 1 collegiate start between them. This presents a significant conundrum for Freeman. After months of discourse, one insider has leveraged the final verdict.

With all three signal-callers this inexperienced and perceived neck-to-neck, spring camp takes even more precedence. The shortlist will have to condense as we take strides towards fall. The magnitude of this spring is not lost on Notre Dame insider and fan, Tyler Wojciak. Well, not only because it’s an opportunity for the coaches to assess these three. But also because it’s preceded by the transfer portal reopening.

Wojciak took to the Locked on Irish podcast to give the exact rundown of what he thinks will transpire once spring practice commences. As well as the exact hierarchy of QB1, QB2 and the 3rd who he expects to leave via the portal instead of sitting around. This verdict represents a line in the sand pre and post-spring for Freeman and co.

“My prediction coming out of spring is that it’s going to be a two-man race,” said Wojciak. “I think Steve Angeli is going to be the starter week one. I think it’s too big of a gap for the other guys to make up in just 15 practices.” Well, Angeli’s been in the system for longer. He was backup to Riley Leonard for a couple of years. It’s not frequent that a 3-star such as Riley Leonard turns out the way he did, and fellow 3-star Angeli will have to hope something similar happens to him.

To be fair, he technically does boast of some big-game experience. Angeli came into the Natty for one series after Leonard needed a breather. Angeli was also very impressive in the 2023 Sun Bowl. Despite his claim, Tyler Wojniak also threw in a caveat about Angeli being Marcus Freeman’s next QB1. It’s not as linear a solution.

“I think Kenny Minchey will likely leave, and CJ Carr will stay. But say [Minchey] bal*s out in spring practice, and it looks like he might be the starting quarterback. Well, if that’s the case, then Steve Angeli is going to probably leave. So that makes it a two-man race again.” remarked Tyler Wojciak.

So the idea here is that Carr is firmly at 3rd place in the pecking order, and whoever loses out in spring out of the others will hit the portal to be a starter elsewhere. Sounds straightforward. Except, Wojciak threw another twist in the story.

“Now, if CJ Carr comes out, lights the world on fire and he’s clearly the best option. [If] It’s not even debatable. Then Notre Dame might be in a really interesting situation. Because then, Kenny Michey and Steve Angeli could both leave.” he said. However, Wojciak doesn’t see things transpiring in this manner. “I don’t think that’s going to be the case, given the fact that Carr had such a long layoff,” Indeed, CJ Carr missed a chunk of time due to an elbow injury. Jumping from QB4 to QB1 does seem unlikely within one off-season.

The consensus is that Kenny Minchey is the best pure passer out of the 3, as well as the most mobile. The passing game isn’t Notre Dame’s modus operandi on offense. But Minchey can expand the playbook and add variance, which will by extension make the run game more potent for himself as well as the RBs. Marcus Freeman could do with another dimension to his offense.

However, Wojciak reiterated Minchey’s time in South Bend may be up soon when he summed up his prediction. “Angeli is going to be the leader coming out of spring. [And] Carr is going to make up the ground on Minchey enough, so that Kenny Minchey does end up transferring,” Wojciak stated how he’s not rooting for this scenario, but that’s how he sees things unfold. Alas, whoever succeeds Leonard has big shoes to fill. 

Marcus Freeman could make the perfect pick, but he still may not surpass Riley Leonard’s contributions

It’s important to temper expectations with an inexperienced QB due to be the starter. No matter which one it is. That’s exactly what another Notre Dame homer is trying to permeate to the rest of the fanbase. While the QB room is still talented, it’s perhaps going to miss the intangibles that Riley Leonard brought. The leadership, the grit and the innate ability to clutch an important first down. Marcus Freeman will miss those qualities under center.

“It won’t be the same this year. Riley Leonard deserves a ton of credit for that. Just having a quarterback who’s that mobile and can get out of trouble, and is a veteran. I don’t think Steve Angeli and Kenny Minchey have got the wheels. Or CJ Carr has that kind of ‘it’ factor, so to speak.” said Matt Fortuna over his The Independent podcast.

He did acknowledge a silver lining, though. “They will be playing behind a bigger, stronger, better offensive line at least. From day one,” he said. This is equal parts a reality check and a show of respect to the departed Leonard. That opening drive in the National Championship will live on forever.

There’s some forward momentum under coach Freeman that the Irish will want to keep going. There may be a flatlining or even a downward trajectory on the graph. The 2024 season saw Notre Dame reach the National Championship, the Irish will again aim for another title push in 2025. Given their relatively soft schedule, the Irish probably will make the CFP again. It’s a schedule that’ll allow for growing pains for their new, inexperienced quarterback. Who do you think will be the pick? Tell us in the comments below.