Notre Dame quarterback Steve Angeli has entered the transfer portal, according to numerous reports. Angeli, a graduate transfer with two seasons of eligibility remaining, served as Riley Leonard’s backup in 2024 and Sam Hartman’s backup the year prior. He was in a three-way competition with CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey for the Irish’s coveted QB1 spot this spring.
Quarterback Steve Angeli Enters Transfer Portal
Angeli at Notre Dame
A New Jersey native, Angeli appeared in 21 games for Notre Dame over three years in the program. He completed 58-of-80 passes for 772 yards with 10 touchdowns and just one interception. He started one game for the Irish, leading Notre Dame to a 40-8 victory over Oregon State in the 2023 Sun Bowl when Hartman opted out of the game. Angeli tossed three touchdowns in the Sun Bowl, throwing for 232 yards.
Angeli played a crucial role in helping the Irish reach the National Title game last season. In the come-from-behind 27-24 Orange Bowl win over Penn State, Angeli stepped in for Leonard and engineered a key 13-play, 52-yard drive at the end of the first half. Angeli went 6-of-7 on the drive for 44 yards. The drive established much-needed momentum for Notre Dame and ended with a Mitch Jeter field goal heading into halftime.
Clearing the Way for CJ Carr?
With Angeli in search of a new program, the move could clear a path for Carr. A redshirt freshman, Carr completed 14-of-19 passes during last Saturday’s Blue-Gold Game. He threw for 170 yards and showed off his arm strength and accuracy, taking multiple shots downfield. The grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr appeared in just one game for the Irish last season.
Minchey, in his third season at Notre Dame, has played in four games. In the Blue-Gold game, he threw for 106 yards and demonstrated his athleticism by rushing for a score.
Last month on IrishSportsDaily.com, Angeli expressed confidence in his strengths and being able to win the starting job in the fall.
“I think I understand the game well,” Angeli said. “I feel like I’m a great leader in the locker room. Quite frankly, I know how to make plays. I know my strengths and attributes that I can make every throw on the field. I can extend plays and get a first down if need be, and I can operate and lead the team.”
Possible Landing Spots for Steve Angeli in the Transfer Portal
Coming out of high school, Angeli had offers from Arizona, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Iowa, LSU, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, and a host of other programs. With his experience, Angeli should rank as one of the more experienced quarterbacks currently in the transfer portal. Tennessee desperately needs a starting quarterback and might be a good landing spot for Angeli since the Volunteers have parted ways with UCLA-bound Nico Iamaleava. His talents might also be a good fit for the likes of Purdue, Minnesota, or Tulane, all programs in need of a quarterback.
A New Chapter in South Bend
With Angeli stepping into the transfer portal, the battle for QB1 shifts towards Carr. The move paves the way for the highly touted Carr to take the reins as the starter in South Bend. It’s an opportunity that many Irish enthusiasts have anticipated.
While the future appears bright for Notre Dame with Carr at the helm, Angeli’s departure should not overshadow the contributions he made to the program during his time with the Fighting Irish. His accuracy, dependability, and leadership qualities will be assets to another program seeking an experienced and capable quarterback. Angeli leaves Notre Dame with a solid foundation and the potential to flourish as a starter elsewhere. At the same time, Notre Dame is on the verge of ushering in a new era for the Irish offense, likely led by Carr.
Main Photo: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
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