Notre Dame football gunslinger could make a move in fall camp

Riley Leonard is the man for Notre Dame football in 2024. That’s really not up for debate. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t some intrigue at the position. 

There’s especially some intrigue because Leonard is coming off an injury-shortened season and a spring period where he didn’t really practice at all. That’s why guys like Steve Angeli and Kenny Minchey are important. And it’s why this might be the year that Minchey takes advantage of a big opportunity.

Notre Dame football’s Kenny Minchey has an opportunity to take charge

In his second season, Minchey has a season of experience under his belt, and the arrival of Mike Denbrock means all the quarterbacks started the offseason on the same level when it comes to learning the offense.

He also clearly impressed the coaches this fall. He played well in the Blue Gold Game. And now he’s about to start his sophomore fall camp. Minchey has tons of arm talent, and he was known as a high football IQ quarterback during his high school career. 

Minchey showed the ability to make throws that not many quarterbacks can make. He has a lightning quick delivery and the ball jumps out well when he uses his core to get the ball out. 

There’s also the fact that he can make plays with his feet. More than Angeli and Carr could do for sure. With Denbrock’s offense featuring heavily on a quarterback who can move outside the pocket, Minchey has a real opportunity.

No one wants to see Riley Leonard go down. No one wants to see “who will step up” if he can’t go. But if he does get hurt, Minchey might be the guy Denbrock and Marcus Freeman call on. 

His spring was a big reason why that’s a possibility. Now we’ll just have to see how the 2024 Notre Dame football season unfolds.