With a new college football season just around the corner, programs across the nation are making final preparations to hit the ground running. One team that will undoubtedly be under the spotlight is Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who enter the year hungry for redemption and determined to make a run at the national title.
One of the most pressing debates within the program centers around who will start under center in the season opener. Riley Leonard left the starting quarterback spot vacant after declaring for the NFL Draft, and now it’s up to head coach to make a pivotal decision moving forward.
According to Josh Pate, the battle for the starting quarterback job at Notre Dame is tighter than ever, with no clear indication yet as to who will take the field on August 31st when the Irish face the Hurricanes in Miami.
“Notre Dame, quarterback battle still going on,” he said on Josh Pate’s College Football Show on Tuesday night. “I will admit, I thought this would be settled by now. So I was wrong about this, and I am wrong in the sense that I thought in the spring CJ Carr would lock this job down. Now maybe he will. In fact, I think he eventually will. But I don’t know.
CJ Carr #13 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish throws a pass during the 94th Annual Notre Dame Blue-Gold Spring Game at Notre Dame Stadium on April 12, 2025 in South Bend, Indiana.
“It’s still neck and neck. So it could be Kenny Minchey, it could be CJ Carr. I’m just saying what I hope doesn’t happen here is that thing lingers and no one really grabs the job and they waste what should be a really, really upgraded wide receiver room. So that’s what we’re watching for there.”
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Freeman’s top options under center
As the Notre Dame Fighting Irish gear up for their season opener, all eyes are on head coach Marcus Freeman and the fiercely contested battle for the QB1 spot. With veteran Tyler Buchner returning for his senior season, he brings a level of experience that could be invaluable, though he’ll have to fend off a talented and diverse group of competitors.
Sophomore Kenny Minchey has shown flashes of brilliance, while fellow Anthony Rezac offers a different skill set that could factor into the decision. The true wild cards, however, are freshmen C.J. Carr and Blake Hebert, both highly-touted recruits who have impressed during their early time in South Bend.
Freeman has consistently preached a merit-based approach, and the competition is expected to continue right up until the final moments before the first snap, leaving fans and analysts speculating on who will ultimately lead the Irish onto the field.
Return to the National Championship Game
With their sights set on returning to the national spotlight and seeking redemption after last season’s disappointment, these are the opening matchups for the Fighting Irish starting in Week 1.
- @ Miami, August 31
- vs Texas A&M, September 13
- vs Purdue, September 20
- @ Arkansas, September 27
- vs Boise State, October 4
