Notre Dame Football Mailbag: CJ Carr and the battle for QB1, the return of Jason Onye, Chris Ash’s recruiting, and some early 2025 talk
We are just 351 days until Notre Dame wins the college football national championship. Fighting Irish fans got their first taste of big success in 2024 under head coach Marcus Freeman, and the future of the program seems to be in a great place. For the first time in a long time, it feels like […]
We are just 351 days until Notre Dame wins the college football national championship. Fighting Irish fans got their first taste of big success in 2024 under head coach Marcus Freeman, and the future of the program seems to be in a great place. For the first time in a long time, it feels like there is no ceiling for how good the program can become.
It might be February, but it’s never too early to get excited about the next season. It’s also never a bad time for a mailbag. On this week’s edition, some of the topics included CJ Carr and the quarterback competition, breakout stars in 2025, Rylie Mills’ draft stock, and much more.
QB1 in 2025
Notre Dame is set to have a legitimate quarterback competition for the first time in recent years. Veteran Steve Angeli will start the offseason as the front runner based on experience, but redshirt sophomore Kenny Minchey and redshirt freshman CJ Carr will be ready to battle. A lot of people believe that Carr will eventually win the starting job, while others think that staff will opt for the safety of Angeli.
I personally believe that it will be between the two young guys in the end. Carr would probably be the one I would bet on, but I hope Minchey gets a real shot to win the job. I actually think Minchey is the most talented quarterback physically.
For the second question: I do believe that Carr is a talented quarterback and a good overall prospect. I do think that some of the hype is a little bit over the top. I could see him being a very good player for the program, but I don’t buy into the savior talk. Honestly, I’m not sure Notre Dame needs a savior. They just need a very good quarterback.
Chris Ash’s impact on recruiting
Yes, Burgess and Faraimo are locked in. They are both already signed, and Faraimo is already on campus. Any impact the coaching changes would have is on figure classes, including the 2026 group. The good news about Al Golden’s departure is that he wasn’t a huge part of the recruiting operation. Coach Golden was more of the closer down the stretch, so it shouldn’t have a huge negative on the 2026 recruiting class… for now.
Functionally speaking, I don’t think the strategy changes much. You have to play against so many spread offenses in today’s game that you are going to play so much nickel defensively. For the base defense, you need a player who can fit into the box as a traditional SAM linebacker and also work out in space when things get spread out. Players like Jaiden Ausberry and Jaylen Sneed can do those things already.
Passing game development
There seems to be this automatic assumption out there that the passing offense is going to get a ton better. While I understand the thought of getting a more natural passer in there, I’m still uncertain just how explosive the passing offense gets, and it has nothing to do with the quarterbacks who are competing for the job.
For better or for worse, I do believe that head coach Marcus Freeman wants this to be a running football team. I also think a major part of his offensive ideology is eliminating turnovers. Am I just supposed to assume that he’s going to allow a young and inexperienced quarterback full rein to unleash this passing attack? I have my doubts.
The return of Jason Onye
It’s obviously a great sign that Jason Onye is back on the roster, and it would be huge for this Notre Dame 2025 defensive line. Based on conversations I’ve had recently, I’m feeling more confident that big No. 47 will be back with the team. We will find out for sure once spring practice opens up.
What to make of Loren Landow
I’m very concerned with the injuries to be honest. It’s football, and injuries happen, but that many in one season is very unsettling. I’m hoping it was just a string of bad luck, but you can bet I’ll be watching it closely this offseason and into next season.
Early 2025 record prediction
I’m going to go 11-1 in the regular season. Even though the game is at home, their matchup against Texas A&M does worry me a good bit. As Mike Elko and that staff continues to get their recruits in there, they have the chance to build a really good team. You also have to play them coming off of a more than likely emotional game against Miami. If Notre Dame wins, will they be able to handle success? That’s been a question at times with this team.
Texas A&M or Miami?
I think Texas A&M will be the better opponent. Miami went all-in on transfer portal last season, and it didn’t push them enough over the top. I’m honestly not a huge believer in head coach Mario Cristobal, and trust Mike Elko to build a more sustainable roster. I expect Miami to take a slight step back from 2024.
2025 breakout candidates
Love the early breakout questions! For offense, I’ll go with whoever the quarterback is if it’s either CJ Carr or Kenny Minchey. Notre Dame will need both players to be tremendous. I don’t feel great about it but I’ll say Eli Raridon as well. He’s obviously played a good amount of football but with the injury to Cooper Flanagan, this Irish offense is going to need someone to step up. Raridon will be my pick if healthy.
On defense, I’m going to go with defensive tackle Armel Mukam and safety JaDon Blair. I almost wanted to go with Bryce Young but I feel like most people expect him to take a nice step toward. Mukam is someone I’m really excited about finding reps at three technique, especially if Jared Dawson plays at nose tackle.
Rylie Mills draft projection
Mills is a very tricky evaluation. The talent is certainly there, sitting at a verified 6’ 5 ½” and 306 pounds but the film had been maddeningly inconsistent the last three seasons. During the middle section of the season, Mills was playing the best we have seen him in a Notre Dame uniform.
If that was the version you were getting all of the time, we might be talking about a potential top 100 player. The problem is that we once again saw the inconsistency early in the year, and now Mills had the injury to end the year. With all that context involved, it feels like Mills is going to be a potential Day Three value.
A Notre Dame national championship
It’s only 351 days until Notre Dame wins the national championship! Get ready for a great year.ggggggg
Notre Dame is set for a defensive makeover, and there are several position battles to watch under new DC Chris Ash
Notre Dame defensive position battles to watch
