Marcus Freeman’s Assistant Coach Breaks Silence on Steve Angeli’s Future Amid Concerning Spring Camp Update

At the end of Notre Dame’s college football championship defeat, Riley Leonard and others were given an ovation as they made their way through the tunnel. The night was tinged with disappointment for the Fighting Irish, but there was a feeling that they had made considerable strides and had come a long way from that Northern Illinois mishap. It felt like they were ahead of schedule and defensive lineman Howard Cross’s words “We’ve changed the narrative,” echoed true. Even one of their fiercest critics, Paul Finebaum believes that Marcus Freeman’s program will be back in the playoffs next season. But with their spring practices underway, they find themselves in the middle of another battle even before the season has kicked off. 

Riley Leonard’s watch as Notre Dame’s QB has ended. After spending three seasons with Duke, he transferred to Freeman’s program and led them to their first national championship game in 13 years. But now as he prepares for the NFL Draft, Freeman needs to find a successor but it is new territory for him as well. In the last two years, he hand-picked his starting quarterback from the transfer portal. This time he has 3 inexperienced QBs standing there, waiting to ascend through the depth chart.

Steve Angeli, CJ Carr, and Kenny Minchey are all talented prospects, but not one of them is a 5-star recruit. That’s hardly the benchmark for how a prospect will translate to college. Leonard wasn’t one either. 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. The bigger concern is that the trifecta has made a grand total of 1 start between them, which creates a conundrum. As a decision is awaited, quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli has commented on the situation. Comments that imply one player could be leading the charge for being the QB1.

On Friday at the spring practice press conference, Guidugli was asked if Angeli’s experience factors into the decision-making process. “Anybody in any profession, if they’ve got experience doing something and have had success, that’s going to give you a leg up. Steve, at least, has that in his back pocket as a confidence builder. Like ‘Hey, I’ve gone out [and] started a game. Played really well, won a game. Every time I’ve been called on in a game I’ve gone in and been able to hold the offense to the same standard as the starter.’ Those other guys [have] still got to prove that.”

Steve Angeli’s been in the program for the longest, being from the class of ‘22. He’s backed up Riley Leonard for multiple seasons now. Despite starting just once, Angeli has featured 21 times for Marcus Freeman’s Irish. It’s not frequent that a 3-star such as Riley Leonard pans out the way he did, and fellow 3-star Angeli will hope lightning strikes twice. Technically, he has some big-game experience, too. Angeli did come into the National Championship game for one series after Leonard had to sit out.

Angeli also started the 2023 Sun Bowl, completing 15 of 19 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns. He later entered the Orange Bowl after Leonard exited late in the first half, completing six of seven pass attempts for 44 yards on a drive that ended in a field goal. The score helped spark the Irish in their eventual College Football Playoff semifinal victory. All this is baked into why Guidugli acknowledges Angeli has an advantage over his contemporaries, at least at this early juncture of spring camp. It also makes sense for last season’s backup to now get the keys to the offense. That said, Guidugli proceeded to throw a spanner in the works. 

The QB battle being based solely on seniority would be a travesty. It has to be a meritocracy. Marcus Freeman preaches this throughout his team, and that position group is no different. Guidugli stated how all 3 QBs are getting an exactly equal number of reps and snaps in spring practice, suggesting Steve Angeli isn’t home and dry just yet. “The proving ground is practice. They’ve just got to go out and whatever opportunities they get, make the most of those opportunities. Be really consistent,”  he added.

Minchey has been with Notre Dame since 2023 and is seen as a more athletic option compared to the other two. CJ Carr, on the other hand, redshirted his freshman year in 2024 while nursing an elbow injury, but is seen as a long-term asset. He is the highest-rated Notre Dame quarterback recruit since the Irish landed Jimmy Clausen in 2007. So, there remains a strong chance that Notre Dame sees him as the perfect Riley replacement.

Meanwhile, Freeman has maintained that each quarterback will get a chance to compete with the first-team offense.

On the first day of spring practice, he made it clear. “No matter if they like what group they’re going with or not, and it shouldn’t matter, but we need to be upfront and honest with them and give them feedback after each practice. We’ll name a starter when a starter clearly shows he’s the best quarterback,” the head coach mentioned.

A permanent QB decision might be some time away for Freeman, but right now he is having to contend with injuries in the Irish camp.

Marcus Freeman dealing with injuries in various position groups on his roster

Making it to the absolute finish line last season was a testament to Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame’s resilience. Unfortunately, though, a deep playoff run exacts a cost. Injuries are an inevitable ramification. This ugly byproduct of making it all the way to the Natty has spilled over into spring camp for the Irish. Plus, a couple of players who didn’t partake in their CFP run are also sidelined. Players being out is hampering Notre Dame’s preparation for 2025.

Defensive end Cole Mullins is slated to miss spring camp activity after his left knee injury last fall. Even if he does get involved, Mullins won’t be a full participant. Left tackle Anthonie Knapp, who had to undergo surgery on his right ankle post-Orange Bowl, also won’t be a full participant. 2 new players acquired via the transfer portal in safety Jalen Stroman and WR Will Pauling are also out following surgery. Starting guard Billy Schrauth also underwent a procedure and will have his involvement be bit-part. A plethora of other players are also ruled out. Coach Freeman’s plans have naturally had to be altered as a result.

Spring practice allows for coaches to get an early look at their roster. But it also allows that roster to build chemistry. With players poised to be in and around the team missing crucial time, it’s not ideal. Marcus Freeman Gino Guidugli won’t be pleased that the offensive line- which was struck with injuries throughout last season- is still not healthy as they come close to a decision about their quarterback.

Steve Angeli or someone else, the O-line missing Knapp and Schrauth while a new QB takes charge of the offense is bound to be problematic. The Irish will just hope to have a less injury-riddled 2025 than what they had to rise above last year.