In an era where transfer quarterbacks dominate headlines, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is taking a different path. Amid speculation following Steve Angeli’s departure, Freeman confirmed the Irish are not pursuing a transfer quarterback, expressing confidence in the young talent already on campus.
As the battle between CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey heats up, Freeman’s message is clear: the future under center will be built, not bought.
Marcus Freeman Confirms Notre Dame Is Not Pursuing a Transfer QB — ‘We’re Not Actively Looking for Additions’
Notre Dame’s Freeman isn’t budging on the quarterback front. Despite swirling rumors and the temptation of the transfer portal, the head coach made it crystal clear: the Fighting Irish are sticking with their homegrown talent under center. In a college football landscape where coaches often chase quick fixes, Freeman’s April 28 statement to On3 felt refreshingly old-school.
“We’re not actively looking for additions to our roster,” Freeman declared, effectively silencing speculation that’s been building since Angeli packed his bags for greener pastures. With Angeli’s departure, Notre Dame has four scholarship quarterbacks, including Tyler Buchner, who switched from wide receiver to his natural position.
When pressed about why he hasn’t named a starter after spring ball, Freeman didn’t mince words: “If one person clearly showed he was going to be the only answer… we would have named one.” Translation? The competition remains wide open heading into summer.
Marcus Freeman Stands by Notre Dame’s Quarterbacks, No Transfer Needed for 2025
The quarterback battle in South Bend has narrowed to two fresh faces with enormous potential. CJ Carr, the talented freshman with football royalty in his blood the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr), turned heads this spring with his precision passing, including a pair of touchdowns in the Blue-Gold Game that had fans buzzing.
Not to be outdone, sophomore Kenny Minchey has shown he’s more than just an arm. The dual-threat quarterback flipped the script this spring, celebrating a rushing touchdown with a backflip that showcased his athleticism and flair for the dramatic.
Freeman seems genuinely excited about both prospects, even while acknowledging their work is in progress. “Everybody has areas of improvement,” he admitted, “but I’ve been so pleased with the collective group.” Whoever wins this quarterback competition will be thrown straight into the fire, with a season opener at Miami followed by a heavyweight clash with Texas A&M.
This quarterback approach marks a significant shift for the Irish, who leaned heavily on transfer portal veterans Sam Hartman and Jack Coan between 2021 and 2024. Freeman appears to be modeling his program more after Georgia’s patient development of Carson Beck than the portal shopping sprees from schools like Oregon.
Roster Management Challenges
Freeman’s quarterback decision doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It comes at a time when the House v. NCAA settlement has forced unprecedented roster management decisions across college football. Notre Dame currently carries 118 players, including 12 incoming freshmen, but will need to trim down to 105, meaning 13 athletes will need to find new homes.
The quarterback room stands at five, including walk-ons, a number Freeman seems comfortable maintaining amidst these constraints.
“If someone on our current roster is contemplating entering the portal, I’m sure we will have discussions,” Freeman acknowledged, before adding the telling kicker: “We are quite satisfied with our current group.”
By staying out of the transfer quarterback market, Notre Dame is making a calculated bet: they’re banking on long-term stability with potential multi-year starters in Carr or Minchey, preserving team chemistry with returning playmakers like running back Jeremiyah Love, and navigating the new NIL landscape without breaking the bank for a rental quarterback.
KEEP READING: ‘There Has to Be One Guy’ — Marcus Freeman Opens Up After Steve Angeli Transfers
As summer workouts loom and fall camp approaches, the Irish find themselves in unfamiliar territory – no clear QB1 for the first time since 2022, despite carrying Top 10 expectations into the season. But Freeman remains unfazed: “We can only have one being the starter… We have time to figure out who that guy is gonna be.”
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