Notre Dame Quarterback Battle Opens with Rocky Start on Day One of Fall Camp

August 2, 2025

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The highly anticipated Notre Dame quarterback competition got off to a shaky start this week, as fall camp opened with both CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey struggling under center. While the position battle has been one of the biggest storylines heading into the 2025 season, the first practice showed just how much work remains before head coach Marcus Freeman names a starter.

CJ Carr, widely considered the frontrunner, had a particularly tough debut. The former five-star recruit threw three interceptions during practice, two of which were picked off by sophomore cornerback Tae Johnson. While Johnson’s performance was a bright spot for the Irish defense, Carr’s early struggles underlined the inexperience at one of college football’s most scrutinized positions.

Kenny Minchey, a redshirt sophomore, didn’t do much to separate himself either. Though reports indicate he avoided turnovers, his execution reportedly lacked the poise and consistency needed to take control of the offense. Misfires, slow reads, and stalled drives plagued both signal-callers in what many expected to be a strong start to camp.

It’s important to remember that this was only the first day of fall practice, and both Carr and Minchey are relatively green in terms of live game reps. Carr is a true freshman who enrolled early but hasn’t yet faced college-level game speed. Minchey, while more experienced in the system, hasn’t logged meaningful minutes in real competition.

The inexperience of both players was evident, and fans are being reminded that the path to naming a starting quarterback may not be as straightforward as preseason speculation suggested.

Still, Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock are likely not panicking just yet. Early camp practices are often riddled with mistakes, especially for quarterbacks learning new wrinkles in the offense and adjusting to a higher level of competition. Mistakes in August don’t necessarily mean failure in September.

The bright side for Notre Dame? The defense looks ahead of schedule. With multiple pass breakups, tight coverage, and the aforementioned interceptions, the Irish secondary — including Tae Johnson — made an early statement. If the defense can continue to sharpen, it may give the offense more time to find its footing.

With several weeks remaining until Notre Dame’s season opener, the quarterback competition is still wide open. While Carr remains the likely favorite based on talent and pedigree, nothing is guaranteed. Both quarterbacks will have ample opportunity to improve, but if Day One was any indication, it’s going to be a battle filled with growing pains — and unexpected twists.