The quarterback competition at Syracuse is officially over — and it’s a familiar name taking the reins.
Just one day after the Tennessee Volunteers announced **Joey Aguilar** as their starting quarterback for their highly anticipated Week 1 matchup, Syracuse followed with a major announcement of its own. According to ESPN’s **Pete Thamel**, **Steve Angeli**, a redshirt junior and recent transfer from **Notre Dame**, has been named the starting quarterback for the Orange as they prepare to face Tennessee on **August 30** in Atlanta.
The decision marks a significant moment for head coach **Fran Brown**, who is entering his first full season at the helm in Syracuse. Angeli’s selection is the culmination of a surprising post-spring quarterback saga — one that saw the former Fighting Irish signal-caller quickly rise from a late addition to the top of the depth chart.
**A Spring Twist in the QB Battle**
When spring camp wrapped up earlier this year, it appeared that **Rickie Collins**, a transfer from **LSU**, had won the job. Collins was named the starting quarterback following spring practices, giving the Orange a promising and athletic option under center.
However, just two weeks later, Angeli entered the picture through the spring transfer portal, and everything changed.
Despite being a late arrival, Angeli impressed coaches and teammates alike with his accuracy, poise, and leadership. His consistent performances in summer workouts and team scrimmages quickly pushed him into serious contention for the job. Ultimately, Brown and the coaching staff decided that Angeli gave the team the best chance to succeed right out of the gate against a formidable SEC opponent in Tennessee.
**From Backup to Breakout Opportunity**
Angeli brings with him three years of experience at Notre Dame, where he served primarily as a backup — most recently behind **Sam Hartman** in 2023 and **Riley Leonard** in 2024. While he didn’t see extensive action, Angeli made the most of his limited opportunities.
Across **21 appearances**, he completed **72.5%** of his passes (58-of-80) for **772 yards**, **10 touchdowns**, and just **one interception**. Most of his playing time came during garbage-time situations, but his numbers suggest a quarterback capable of protecting the football and capitalizing on opportunities.
His most notable moment came during the **College Football Playoff semifinal** last season, where he stepped in for Notre Dame against Penn State and engineered a key scoring drive before halftime. Angeli went 6-for-7 for 44 yards, leading the Irish to a field goal in a pressure-packed situation. That brief but effective drive gave many around the country — and evidently, the Syracuse staff — a glimpse of his potential as a starting quarterback.
**What This Means for Syracuse**
The selection of Angeli signals a desire for experience and steady play as Syracuse looks to make a splash in 2025. With a tough opening test against Tennessee, the Orange will benefit from having a composed and battle-tested presence under center.
Fran Brown’s decision also emphasizes his willingness to make bold moves — even if that means reversing course after spring camp. In a college football landscape increasingly shaped by the transfer portal, adaptability and quick evaluations are crucial.
For Syracuse fans, Angeli’s arrival offers hope. He’s accurate, disciplined, and now has the opportunity to prove himself as a full-time starter. If he can translate his limited but impressive Notre Dame performances into consistent production, he may very well be the key to an exciting new era of Orange football.