Notre Dame quarterback decision

Notre Dame must choose between CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey ahead of the Miami opener.

Notre Dame must name its starting quarterback now

SOUTH BEND. With preseason camp finished and the 2025 opener looming, Notre Dame has not named a starting quarterback. CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey shared first team reps in scrimmages and both show flashes, but no decisive edge. Freeman has refused to set a timeline, leaving the team and fans waiting as the schedule tightens toward the August 31 game at Miami. The decision matters not just for the opening night but for the season and the program's championship hopes.

This is not only about talent. It is about leadership, trust, and the ability to move a program forward. The longer the choice lingers, the more it risks distracting players, inviting public speculation, and complicating preparation for a different opponent. Naming a starter now can unlock clearer game plans, tempo in practice, and mental space for the backup. The risk is not who starts but how the choice shapes momentum and the locker room culture in a high pressure year.

The question is not simply who is more accurate or athletic. It is about the optics of leadership in a program that prizes composure and clear direction. Freeman faces a test of trust in his staff and in two players who have yet to play a college snap. A quick decision can stabilize the team and accelerate growth, while a prolonged back and forth may erode confidence and invite outside noise. The real challenge is translating a split practice into a unified game plan. A decisive call sets a tone for how Notre Dame pursues a championship, or at least a season of steady progress.

If the call comes late, it risks crowding the locker room with speculation and undermining the comfort level of the backup. If the call is made early, it can accelerate development and allow the offense to tailor its install around a single quarterback. Either path demands candor from the staff and a plan to protect both players as they prepare for a high stakes start. The program will be judged not only by wins but by how quickly it builds trust around its quarterback leadership.

Highlights

The season will test how Notre Dame handles a pivotal year in the glare of national expectations.