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Notre Dame Quarterback Reportedly Transferring On Thursday

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Apr 17, 2025 1:46 PM ET

With quarterback Riley Leonard off to the NFL after leading Notre Dame to the national title game, Steve Angeli has been tipped to lead the Fighting Irish in 2025.

Or at least, he was.

According to recruitment insider Pete Nakos of On3, Angeli has entered the NCAA transfer portal. He leaves South Bend having completed 58 of 80 passes for 772 yards and 10 touchdowns with one interception over three years.

Angeli rose to national attention during the Orange Bowl of the College Football Playoff. He led a critical drive against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the first half when Leonard was briefly injured. The Fighting Irish went on to win the game, 27-24.

BREAKING: Notre Dame QB Steve Angeli plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, @PeteNakos_ reports. https://t.co/U31NaOwnr0 pic.twitter.com/6JUX87q7cr
— On3 (@On3sports) April 17, 2025

As far as potential destinations go, the most popular one thus far has been the Tennessee Volunteers. The Vols have suddenly found themselves without an established quarterback following the controversial departure of starter Nico Iamaleava.

Granted, Angeli might not qualify as "established" given his lack of playing time in 2024. He didn't have a single game with more than 10 passes thrown last season, and has never had a college game with 20 passes thrown.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Steve Angeli #18 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish throws the ball during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

But while Angeli may be the answer to Tennessee's problems, Notre Dame now have problems of their own.

The departure of Angeli effectively gives the job to second-year quarterback CJ Carr, who played in only one game as a backup to Leonard before taking a redshirt. Assuming Marcus Freeman names him the starter, the Fighting Irish go from having at least a partially known commodity under center to a complete unknown.

Notre Dame's chances of returning to the College Football Playoff, let alone the national title game, have taken no small hit today.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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