With the 2025 college football season fast approaching, one of the biggest storylines in South Bend centers on Notre Dame’s intense quarterback competition. ESPN analyst and former Alabama quarterback **Greg McElroy** recently shared his perspective on the battle between **CJ Carr** and **Kenny Minchey** on his *Always College Football* podcast — and he had a lot to say about both the talent on the field and the complexity of the decision facing head coach Marcus Freeman.
### **A True Two-Man Race in Fall Camp**
McElroy didn’t attempt to crown a favorite in the race but emphasized just how close the battle is between the redshirt freshman Carr and redshirt sophomore Minchey. Both quarterbacks bring distinct skill sets to the table — Carr with his arm talent and Minchey with his poise and mobility. According to McElroy, this is about as tight a quarterback competition as you can get heading into the season.
Rather than frame the situation as a dilemma, McElroy views it as a healthy sign for the Fighting Irish.
> “Why is this a problem? This to me is a great thing,” McElroy said. “Competition at the quarterback spot is ideal… it allows you to know even more that if a guy gets banged up, the next guy will be very well positioned to step right in and not skip a beat.”
Notre Dame fans may be split over which QB should get the nod, but McElroy believes the staff is doing the right thing by letting the battle play out in fall camp.
### **Who Has the Edge?**
When pressed to analyze who might have the upper hand in Week 1, McElroy leaned slightly toward Kenny Minchey — particularly due to his maturity and better decision-making at this point in time. Notre Dame opens the season against Miami, a team known for its aggressive defensive front, and McElroy suggested Minchey’s mobility could prove invaluable.
> “If the mistakes continue to happen the way they’ve happened for CJ Carr, do not be surprised at all if Kenny Minchey becomes the starting quarterback … at least in Week One against Miami,” McElroy said.
### **Carr’s Talent Is Undeniable**
While McElroy sees Minchey as potentially more game-ready at the moment, he was quick to praise CJ Carr’s raw abilities.
> “CJ Carr is the most talented guy. You just watch the ball come off his hand — this guy’s something else,” McElroy noted.
That said, talent alone may not be enough to win the job. Carr’s youth and occasional inconsistency are things the coaching staff is still evaluating closely. McElroy pointed out that Notre Dame may even be keeping former backup **Steve Angeli** in the conversation as a fallback option.
### **Could Both QBs See the Field?**
Interestingly, McElroy floated the idea of a potential two-quarterback system, at least in specific packages. With Carr’s elite passing skills and Minchey’s ability to move the chains with his legs, the Irish might find creative ways to incorporate both.
> “I could definitely envision a scenario where we have two quarterbacks on the field at one time,” he said, highlighting the versatility Notre Dame could have at its disposal.
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### **Final Thoughts**
As the season draws near, Notre Dame’s quarterback battle remains one of the most compelling in college football. Greg McElroy’s insights shed light on the depth and nuance of the competition — and underscore that no matter who wins the job, the Irish are in a good place under center.
Stay tuned — the final decision could go down to the wire.