Choosing a Leader: The Notre Dame QB Battle
- Liam Farrell
- Aug 14
- 3 min read
As fall camp nears Miami game week, Marcus Freeman, Mike Denbrock, and Gino Guidugli should be set to name a starter near the end of this week or the beginning of the next.
Art by The Irish Tribune
The biggest question mark leading into the season for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish has been: who will be leading the team in 2025?
While CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey edged out Steve Angeli in the spring, neither quarterback has earned the starting nod within the first two weeks of fall camp. As the competition continues, it even more of a toss up as to who wins the starting job.
As Irish Tribune Recruiting Insider & Writer Bruce Straughan reported Tuesday afternoon on Tribune+, Marcus Freeman has neared his decision and will announce it "as early as this weekend or by the beginning of next week."
Carr Profile
CJ Carr, because of the recruiting rating out of high school, has been portrayed as somewhat of a "Golden Child." The grandson of Lloyd Carr; CJ's football knowledge, feel for the game, and precision passing make him a great candidate to lead the Irish in 2025.
Carr's main strengths make him an exceptionally talented prospect that certainly has a high ceiling and oozes potential. The question simply is: Is he ready for his moment?
He was the odds-on favorite to win the job, especially after the departure of Angeli, but as the quarterback battle has progressed and no decision has been made by Freeman, Carr is losing a bit of momentum.
From our very own Bruce Straughan, we have some special intel on the ongoing battle between Carr and Minchey over on Tribune+. Memberships start as low as $4.99 and give you access to all of our reliable intel on recruiting and football topics. We're also working to add much more valuable content in the near future, such as exclusive articles and expert analysis. Subscribe: https://www.theirishtribune.com/plans-pricing
It should be noted that Carr had to recover from an elbow injury suffered last September, that limited his full ability to develop as a physical passer.
Another "con" for Carr in this competition is that the playbook might be a bit more limited with him at the helm. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock has had the most success in his tenure with a dual-threat quarterback, whereas Carr is a true pocket-passer.
The Case for Minchey
Starting off on the same note, the thing that Minchey brings to the table that is the biggest "X-factor" is his ability to run.
In the spring game alone, Minchey showed an innate ability to extend plays, throw on the run, and utilize his legs to his advantage. While Minchey has been labeled as the "running" quarterback, he is still an extremely polished passer and more so uses his athleticism when he has to rather than it being his main identity.
He is also an extremely confident young man, labeling himself as "the best quarterback in the country." Minchey's internal confidence, coupled with his even-keeled nature presents a dangerous combination for opposing defenses, and a true leader's mentality.
The cons or knocks on Minchey simply are that he isn't as skilled of a thrower as CJ Carr. Yet, while both haven't played a true competitive snap of college football, it will be tough to tell who would perform best until being under the bright lights.
My Pick
In complete transparency, I was a Steve Angeli supporter. For this 2025 team, I simply thought the safest option would be the best option, especially for how much talent is on this Notre Dame roster. Angeli would've been a great pick to play smart, be accurate, and not commit many turnovers.
Yet, the staff shifted to a different mindset, picking and siding with the raw talent and promise rather than a surer option. In this case, I truly think Kenny Minchey will be the starter in Miami. With Denbrock's track record, Minchey's athleticism, and his leadership characteristics, I believe Freeman will opt for the Hendersonville, Tenn. prospect.
In the grand scheme of things, the label that Minchey is the runner and Carr is the passer is skewed. While Minchey is more talented than Carr as a runner, he is still a gunslinging quarterback. Minchey's incredibly strong arm and quick release have been overlooked, but I strongly think his skill set will give the Fighting Irish the best chance in 2025. This is also not to say that Carr will not have an impact on the outcome of this season either, but I believe No. 8 will be taking the first snap at Hard Rock Stadium.
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