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SOUTH BEND — Losing quarterback Steve Angeli as a graduate transfer to Syracuse hasn’t changed the way Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman views the former Irish backup.
“Listen, what Steve Angeli has done for this program in his three years has been amazing,” Freeman said Thursday morning in a meeting with local media. “I’m a huge fan of Steve Angeli -- huge fan. … “I support him because it was the right decision for Steve.”
Angeli went 8-of-11 passing for 108 yards and one sack in the Blue-Gold Game on April 12. He entered the transfer portal days later and ultimately landed at Syracuse, which visits Notre Dame for Senior Day on Nov. 22.
Angeli’s decision to bow out left redshirt freshman CJ Carr and third-year backup Kenny Minchey to stage a two-way battle for the starting job in fall camp.
“We had a competition in the spring, and that competition wasn’t answered after 14 practices,” Freeman said. “I think you need to have honest conversations with those guys in that room, and that’s what I did.”
Race to End CTE: Campaign spotlights former Notre Dame football teammates Taylor Dever, Bill Flavin
Angeli, who has two remaining years of eligibility, could get two cracks at Notre Dame. The Irish visit the JMA Wireless Dome in 2026, although the date of that matchup won’t be announced until early next year.
A three-star recruit from Bergen Catholic High School in northern New Jersey, Angeli played for coach Vito Campanile at the traditional power. Nunzio Campanile, Vito’s older brother, serves as offensive associate head coach/quarterbacks for Orange coach Fran Brown.
“Nothing is guaranteed,” Freeman said, “but Steve made the decision to transfer where there was probably a better opportunity for him to be the starter in the fall. There was a more clear picture. That’s why he made that decision. He’s graduated, and there’s no hard feelings.”
Angeli led Notre Dame to a Sun Bowl win over Oregon State to close out the 2023 season, then marched the Irish to a pivotal field goal in relief of Riley Leonard in January’s Orange Bowl win over Penn State.
Angeli joins Drew Pyne (2022) and Tyler Buchner (2023) as quarterbacks to leave Notre Dame via transfer since Freeman was elevated to head coach. Buchner has since returned to the fold as a walk-on wideout and lacrosse reserve.
“It was sadness for me,” Freeman said, “because I love Steve Angeli as a person and a football player.”
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman addresses Steve Angeli transfer
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“Listen, what Steve Angeli has done for this program in his three years has been amazing,” Freeman said Thursday morning in a meeting with local media. “I’m a huge fan of Steve Angeli -- huge fan. … “I support him because it was the right decision for Steve.”
Angeli went 8-of-11 passing for 108 yards and one sack in the Blue-Gold Game on April 12. He entered the transfer portal days later and ultimately landed at Syracuse, which visits Notre Dame for Senior Day on Nov. 22.
Angeli’s decision to bow out left redshirt freshman CJ Carr and third-year backup Kenny Minchey to stage a two-way battle for the starting job in fall camp.
“We had a competition in the spring, and that competition wasn’t answered after 14 practices,” Freeman said. “I think you need to have honest conversations with those guys in that room, and that’s what I did.”
Race to End CTE: Campaign spotlights former Notre Dame football teammates Taylor Dever, Bill Flavin
Angeli, who has two remaining years of eligibility, could get two cracks at Notre Dame. The Irish visit the JMA Wireless Dome in 2026, although the date of that matchup won’t be announced until early next year.
A three-star recruit from Bergen Catholic High School in northern New Jersey, Angeli played for coach Vito Campanile at the traditional power. Nunzio Campanile, Vito’s older brother, serves as offensive associate head coach/quarterbacks for Orange coach Fran Brown.
“Nothing is guaranteed,” Freeman said, “but Steve made the decision to transfer where there was probably a better opportunity for him to be the starter in the fall. There was a more clear picture. That’s why he made that decision. He’s graduated, and there’s no hard feelings.”
Angeli led Notre Dame to a Sun Bowl win over Oregon State to close out the 2023 season, then marched the Irish to a pivotal field goal in relief of Riley Leonard in January’s Orange Bowl win over Penn State.
Angeli joins Drew Pyne (2022) and Tyler Buchner (2023) as quarterbacks to leave Notre Dame via transfer since Freeman was elevated to head coach. Buchner has since returned to the fold as a walk-on wideout and lacrosse reserve.
“It was sadness for me,” Freeman said, “because I love Steve Angeli as a person and a football player.”
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman addresses Steve Angeli transfer
Continue reading...
