Favorite emerging in QB duel will define Notre Dame’s offensive future.
New Front-runner Emerging to Lead Notre Dame's Offense in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are deep into fall camp, amid palpable anticipation, with excitement building around the quarterback duel that will shape their 2025 offense.
Sources indicated to On3 that redshirt sophomore Kenny Minchey and redshirt freshman CJ Carr are locked in a daily rotation of first- and second-team reps, each showing flashes that complicate the decision for head coach Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock.
As the Fighting Irish prepare for at least one more scrimmage later this week, Minchey holds a slight edge thanks to his mobility and consistency. But Carr remains a serious threat, and his high-ceiling potential means the race is far from over.
Notre Dame’s QB Competition Shaping Up Ahead of Final Scrimmages
The full story of this quarterback battle lies in the subtle contrast between two talented recruits.
Minchey, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound sophomore from Hendersonville, Tennessee, was a consensus four-star recruit who initially committed to the Pittsburgh Panthers before flipping to Notre Dame in the 2023 cycle.
He threw for 3,280 yards and 32 touchdowns as a junior in high school, earning an invite to the All-American Bowl. His dual-threat style, melding mobility with an accurate arm, and his off-field charisma, including celebratory backflips and impressively large hands, make him a dynamic presence.
CJ Carr, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound freshman from Saline, Michigan, arrives as one of the most decorated recruits in recent Notre Dame history. A four-star signal-caller, he ranked among the top quarterbacks nationally in 2024 and enrolled early to get a head start.
Over the course of his high school career, he passed for nearly 8,000 yards and totaled 78 touchdowns, with just 18 interceptions, demonstrating both productivity and poise.
INTEL: Kenny Minchey has a slight edge over CJ Carr in Notre Dame's QB battle, @PeteNakos_ reports.
— On3 (@On3sports) August 14, 2025
Two scrimmages remain for the Fighting Irish🍀https://t.co/4ezyQOS5JZpic.twitter.com/VWwDh1UTru
At the opening of fall camp, Minchey drew first-team snaps, but Carr saw plenty of action as well. Carr threw three interceptions during that session, two on dazzling grabs by safety Tae Johnson and one on a tipped pass.
Freeman emphasized that consistency, not flash, will determine who starts, saying the starter will be the one who earns trust through steady performance.
What This Quarterback Decision Means for Notre Dame’s 2025 Outlook
The winner of this QB race will carry considerable weight in shaping the Irish offense’s identity. With the departure of Riley Leonard — who starred in 2024 with 2,861 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns and 906 rushing yards with 17 more scores before being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts — Notre Dame’s next leader under center must produce both steadiness and playmaking flair.
Minchey brings athletic versatility and a consistent college-ready demeanor, while Carr offers a polished, cerebral approach with high upside.
Denbrock, now in his second year operating the Irish's offense, must integrate whichever QB emerges with his expanded receiver corps, bolstered by transfers like Malachi Fields from the Virginia Cavaliers and Will Pauling from the Wisconsin Badgers.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to whom Freeman and Denbrock trust to take care of the football, maintain offensive rhythm and suit up confidently on opening night.
The starter named ahead of the final scrimmage will epitomize Notre Dame’s direction, whether that balance favors dynamic playmaking or disciplined precision in its 2025 offensive identity.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
