The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have CJ Carr to welcome back into the fold as the quarterback has been cleared to participate in spring practics and compete for a roster spot as a sophomore.
Riley Leonard’s Departure Opens Up a Healthy QB Competition
March 19 will be the first day of the Fighting Irish’s spring practice schedule with Carr as an active participant.
Notre Dame’s Head Athletic Trainer was quoted in a recent South Bend Tribune article as saying, “Once we identified the injury, then it was just a structured plan to return him to play,” Hunt said. “Obviously, lack of information for others gives tons of opportunity for speculation. We had a 10- to 12-week return from within the first few days and executed it really well.”
Notre Dame rising sophomore quarterback CJ Carr is ready to battle for the starting job this spring ☘️ pic.twitter.com/DHH7w1EBYQ
— BlueandGold.com (@BGInews) March 7, 2025
When Carr suffered the injury throwing at a practice in September, he didn’t participate in meaningful reps until December, when the college football playoffs allowed him to practice.
When the Blue-Gold Game happens on April 12, he will have had 25 days of practice under his belt.
C.J. Carr Will Compete With Kenny Minchey and Steve Angeli
Notre Dame had relied on a single-year transfer like Riley Leonard last season after the school wooed him with a rich NIL deal.
Steve Angeli could be seen as the default because he was the backup in 2024 and has experience.
Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman can declare open season on the spot and have the competition play out in a way that will benefit Notre Dame.
Sports Illustrated’s John Kennedy mentioned yesterday in his article that he has Carr first on the depth chart, Steve Angeli second, and Kenny Minchey third.
KEEP READING: 2025 Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25 Power Rankings
Angeli has played some serviceable games for Notre Dame. In the 2023 season, he appeared in nine games and had four touchdowns and one interception. He guided the Irish to a 40-8 win over Oregon State in the Sun Bowl.
Angeli’s the most dramatic moment in 2024 was when he covered for the injured Riley Leonard in the Orange Bowl against Penn State. The Irish won that game 27-24 with Angelli completing six of seven passes for 44 yards. That propelled Notre Dame to the national title game where they lost to Ohio State.
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