Steve Angeli officially hit the transfer portal last week, closing the book on a three-year run at Notre Dame that was never flashy, but definitely meaningful. He didn’t win a starting job, didn’t light up the Heisman odds, and didn’t dominate the headlines. But when Notre Dame needed him most, Angeli delivered.
The ultimate 'stay ready' guy
Angeli came to Notre Dame in 2022 as a four-star prospect, knowing full well he was entering a quarterback room in flux. Over the next few years, he watched the Irish bring in guys like Sam Hartman and Riley Leonard to take the reins. And through all of it? No drama. No public frustration. Just a guy who kept showing up, putting in the work, and preparing like he’d get the call at any moment.
In today’s college football landscape, where some QBs hit the portal the second they lose a fall camp battle, that kind of approach is rare. Angeli didn’t just stick around. He embraced the role.
When it was his time, he shined for Notre Dame football
Angeli’s big breakout came in the 2023 Sun Bowl after Hartman opted out. First career start. Big stage. He goes 15-for-19 for 232 yards and 3 touchdowns in a dominant 40-8 win over Oregon State. The moment wasn’t too big. If anything, it looked like he’d been ready for it all year. Teammates raved about his calm presence and total command of the offense.
Fast forward to the 2025 Orange Bowl. Leonard gets banged up, and Angeli gets tossed into a pressure-packed semifinal against Penn State. What does he do? Leads a crucial two-minute drill before the half, going 6-for-7 and setting up a field goal that sparked the Irish comeback. Just classic Angeli—smooth, smart, and completely unfazed.
Stats that speak for themselves
He didn’t get a ton of reps, but when he did, Angeli made them count. Here's what he leaves behind:
- 72.5% completion rate (58-of-80)
- 10 touchdowns to just 1 interception
Even in mop-up duty, like his two-touchdown half against Purdue in 2024, he was sharp and efficient.
A quiet ;eader in a transitional era
Now that he’s moving on, the QB room at Notre Dame is officially in the hands of blue-chip guys like CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey. They’ve got talent, no doubt. But they also had a front-row seat to the way Angeli carried himself, how to prep like a starter, lead without ego, and stay locked in no matter what. That stuff matters, especially in a room full of young quarterbacks.
At 6’1” with two years of eligibility, Angeli heads into the portal as one of the most experienced and efficient QBs available. 247Sports already has him ranked as the No. 2 QB on the market. He’s not the flashiest name out there, but teams looking for a steady presence, especially ones with legit postseason hopes, should be paying attention.
A legacy worth remembering
Steve Angeli’s time at Notre Dame won’t be remembered for wild highlight reels or All-American nods. But it should be remembered. He was the guy who stayed ready, delivered when it mattered, and helped keep things steady during a transitional stretch for the Irish. And wherever he ends up next, don’t be surprised if he steps into the spotlight and does exactly what he did in South Bend—lead without needing the headlines.