You’d think Notre Dame is merely at the outset of a special few years. Yes, they almost climbed Mount CFB last season and fell only one step short of the summit. But it did feel like they were ahead of schedule. HC Marcus Freeman has only been in his capacity for 3 years in total. But his individual trajectory as a head coach is only pointed skywards. “I think he’s [Marcus Freeman] only going to build a stronger roster,” renowned CFB commentator Kirk Herbstreit said praising the Fighting Irish HC. “Kids are drawn to him, they want to play for him, they want to play for that school… I think this is the beginning.”

The program, collectively, is well-positioned on the recruiting front to keep providing him with competitive rosters. When the emotions from losing Natty eventually settle down, Notre Dame can take solace from their efforts to get there. However, they can not rest on their laurels. A glaring issue is staring HC Freeman in the face. In football, often teams go as far as their quarterback takes them. That holds true even for a roster as stacked across the board as the one the Irish have at his disposal. 

Riley Leonard’s watch has ceased, and Freeman needs to find a succession plan. A new dawn is imminent over South Bend. Peep over the horizon and 3 inexperienced QBs are standing there, waiting to ascend through the depth chart. Now the Irish do have a lot of talent in the wings. Kenny Minchey, Steve Angeli, and CJ Carr are all high-rated prospects. However, not one of them is a 5-star recruit. Now that is hardly the benchmark for how a high school player will translate to college. Leonard wasn’t one either. But it’s interesting that 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. More importantly, they have made a grand total of 1 start between them. This creates a conundrum of where to head.

With all three signal-callers, this is inexperienced and perceived neck-and-neck, so spring camp is massive for coach Freeman. This 3-way battle will have to condense as we take strides towards fall. The magnitude of this spring is not lost on a couple of Notre Dame insiders/fans. Not only because it’s an opportunity for the coaches to have a look at the options. But because it’s preceded by the transfer portal reopening. That portal window is being viewed as a “litmus-test” by Vince DeDario of the “Irish Breakdown” YouTube channel.

Speaking over his channel alongside co-host Sean Stires, DeDario doesn’t believe they’ll have a finalized QB1 by spring. Neither does Stires. However, they both concur that 2 of the 3 players will create separation. “I will say this. I will be shocked if all three guys are still on the roster come fall. I’ll be shocked if that isn’t the case,” claimed Vince DeDario. “After spring, I just feel like they’re gonna know at least if it’s down to two guys” While he did say this is not inside information, the rationale is correct. You would expect at least one of these players, likely the one deemed QB3, to hit the portal and depart South Bend. But who shall that be?

Steve Angeli and Kenny Minchey are trending higher towards being starters. Angeli’s been in the program longer and is the QB1-elect. He’s backed up Riley Leonard for multiple seasons now. It’s not frequent that a 3-star such as Riley Leonard pans out the way he did, and fellow 3-star Angeli will have to hope lightning strikes twice. Technically, he has some big-game experience. Angeli did come into the National title game for one series after Leonard had to sit out with an injury. 

Minchey, on the other hand, is considered the best pure passer in the QB room. As well as the most mobile. Notre Dame’s passing game isn’t their modus operandi on offense. But Minchey can expand the playbook and add variety, which will by extension make the run game more potent. The rushing ability of Riley Leonard helped Marcus Freeman and co. have the success they did, which is why Minchey is viewed by many as the favorite to win the job. Whoever succeeds Leonard, has big shoes to fill. The answer will be more apparent in the coming weeks. Alas, this QB battle isn’t the only uncertainty looming over the Irish.

Huge revelation about Marcus Freeman and his Fighting Irish losing their independent status

CFB’s most eligible bachelor, Notre Dame’s independent status may sensationally be about to change. Over the “Ohio State Football at Buckeye Scoop” podcast, co-owner and founder Nevadabuck dropped a bombshell. “I’ve had a great source involved in Big 10 expansion that gave us the heads up on USC, UCLA…gave us the heads up on Oregon, Washington…If you’ve been a person who’s listened to the show religiously, you know how far in advance we had this over other people. Now he’s telling me: Notre Dame to the Big 10!” Nevadabuck proceeded to explain why this is in the pipeline. There is no smoke without fire, and there may be truth to this. Especially with them putting their reputation on the line. However, it’s best to take this with a pinch of salt. Because of what’s around the corner for Freeman’s program.

Remaining independent could be a massive edge in the revenue share era. Take the Irish’s piece of the CFP payout pie last season for instance. Neither they nor the Buckeyes had a bye, so they played the same no. of games to get to the championship. Set aside the winner for now. Surely, both teams received equal rewards for reaching the Natty? Not quite.

The CFP pays conferences depending on how far a member makes it a round. $20 million has been given to the Big 10 thanks to Ohio State alone, plus more for PSU and Oregon. $4 million for first making the CFP. Then an additional $4 million for making round 2, and then $6 million each for making the semis and the championship. That’s $20 million, which is divided among the 18 B1G schools. Just over a million were received for their personal efforts. Notre Dame gets the entire $20 million to themselves…

Now it’s not like the Irish will have deep playoff runs every year. The revenue will fluctuate more than it will for teams in a conference. However, they’ll perhaps just live and die by it. As for footballing affairs, it’s important to temper expectations with an inexperienced QB due to being the starter. No matter which one it is. Notre Dame will seek to keep their forward momentum going under Marcus Freeman. There may be a flatlining or even a downward trajectory on the graph. But it’s on the board the Irish thwart all expectations and conventional wisdom a second year running. Given their admittedly soft schedule, it’s likely they make the playoffs again. A schedule that’ll allow room for growing pains for their new, inexperienced signal-caller.