Steve Angeli is not just another name on Notre Dame’s roster. He is a quarterback with a decision that can shake up things. The buzz about his future is getting louder, and we have Greg McElroy sharing some thoughts that might assist in easing up Coach Marcus Freeman’s job. Hold on to your seats because this conversation around the QB1 position is about to get real. 

Star quarterback Riley Leonard has been declared for the NFL draft. This landed Freeman with the challenging decision of selecting a new leader from two promising prospects. On Andy & Ari’s On3 podcast, Greg McElroy said, “I’m not saying that Steve Angel’s that (a reliable quarterback). I’m just saying maybe he is, because Notre Dame did absolutely nothing for 28 minutes against Penn State. Riley Leonard gets dinged, in goes Steve Angeli – right down the field – with tremendous efficiency.” Riley Leonard played exceptionally well for the Fighting Irish against Penn State, throwing 223 yards and rushing for 33 more to help the team defeat Penn State 27-24 in the Orange Bowl. However, Leonard got dinged by Penn State’s Zane Durant and Dvon J-Thomas. He was then replaced by Steve Angeli, who showed tremendous potential and efficiency on the field.

Notre Dame kicked a 41-yard field goal on the final play of the half, cutting Penn State’s lead to 10-3. Angeli’s 6-for-7, 44-yard drive might look like an afterthought on the state sheets. But it wasn’t. McElroy also said, “And just knowing Marcus Freeman, knowing the value that he puts in the team… I think those are qualities that he values. I think Steve Angeli has all those things. And he might just be a freakish gamer that we don’t know.” Standing at 6’2” and weighing 205 lbs, he has put in major longevity in the first three years of his career at Notre Dame. He has completed eight games during his sophomore season, starting the final against Oregon State in the Sun Bowl. But amid the mystery around Angeli’s arm power, another player gets a clearer picture.

“We don’t have the sample size know to make that assessment. But he might be a gamer that has a level that we don’t know about just yet. But we know if CJ Carr gets the job, we know what he’s capable of. Because his arm talent is ridiculous,” McElroy added. CJ Carr, in a heated-up competition with Angeli, is wasting no time in making an impression this spring. His natural arm talent and mechanics are already turning heads around. A video aired on X by Tyler Horka had fans buzzing. The clip showcased Carr’s strong arm, effortless mechanism and ability to make balance throws. He captioned the video with some well-earned praise, “Love the lightning-quick release of Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr, even off-balance. Can’t deny the arm talent of the redshirt freshman,” highlighting his efficiency in the team. 

But, while Carr faces challenges due to his limited playtime (he has yet to play in a college game), Angeli proved his mettle when he stepped against Penn State. He earned the trust of both teammates and the coaching staff. However, Freeman is still yet to make a final decision, triggering the anxiety of fans. 

Notre Dame’s battle for QB1: No time to waste

The way Angeli responded after replacing Leonard for his injury in the Orange Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions may have given him the inside track for the QB1 position in 2025. On3’s JD PicKell believes that his performance on the biggest stage will weigh in even after having tough competition in the QB room. “I think it’s Steve Angeli. It’s hard to dismiss what happened in the Orange Bowl. The fact that he has stayed since Riley Leonard came in and was the guy last year. And the fact that in the Orange Bowl, when Riley Leonard goes down, Steve Angeli steps in there and essentially saves Notre Dame’s playoff life,” PicKell mentioned.

And then there’s another player who has become a major prospect for Notre Dame’s QB1, CJ Carr. Standing at 6’3” and weighing 210 lbs, the 37th overall prospect fractured his elbow in late September and continues to work his way from the injury. He threw for 2,696 yards with 28 touchdowns and four interceptions, completing 156 of 243 attempts as a sophomore. But in terms of experience, Angeli comes before Carr, playing from Notre Dame since 2022. Has passed for 268 yards in the last season with a completion rate of 66.7% and three touchdowns. He also has the 2023 season as his highlight, where he threw for 504 yards at a 77.3% competition rather than scoring 7 touchdowns. 

The QB1 position is still open in Notre Dame and up for grabs, with Freeman working best to fill the void created by Leonard’s draft to the NFL. But the decision is still pending. Carr or Angeli? Who will be the one? Can they possibly translate to the same success as delivered by Leonard? Let us know your take on this.