One portal entry could shift Notre Dame Football's approach at QB in 2025

When Riley Leonard’s days with Notre Dame football are done, it’s expected that one of Steve Angeli, Kenny Minchey or CJ Carr will finally step into the starting role. But there’s one player who announced his intention to transfer over the weekend that could change that.

It’s become pretty clear that head coach Marcus Freeman believes that a veteran quarterback is what’s needed as the Irish try to win national championships. And while Angeli and Minchey fit that bill these days as far as years in college, they don’t really rise to the level of Leonard or Sam Hartman.

That’s why the planned entry of Virginia Cavaliers’ quarterback Anthony Colandrea into the portal could change the approach the Notre Dame football team had planned for the 2025 season. Instead it seems likely that Freeman will pursue a quarterback from an ACC school for the third straight year.

Notre Dame football could change direction on 2025 QB1

If Freeman does decide that he can’t turn over the program to CJ Carr or the other quarterbacks on the roster, it would make sense that Colandrea would be a target. After all, he’s got the same kind of tools that Leonard has. He’s even got the same kind of background, though obviously hasn’t had as much team success as the former Duke star.

Colandrea finished the 2024 season with 2,125 yards passing, 13 TDs and 11 INTs. He also ran for just over 200 yards. And those numbers are one reason why Fighting Irish fans might not be all that excited about the idea of the UVA quarterback coming to South Bend.

On the other hand, he’ll only be a junior next season and that might seem like there’s room to grow and develop under Mike Denbrock’s tutelage. 

Granted, if the Notre Dame football team does pursue Calendrea it could mean a shakeup is imminent in who is in the quarterback room for the Irish by next spring.