Steve Angeli delivers in the 2025 Orange Bowl win over Penn State. (Photo: Chad Ryan)
Editor’s note: Over the next few weeks Fighting Irish Preview will help get you ready for the Spring by taking a look at each of the candidates contending to take over at quarterback, this coming season.
6-2, 208 Steve Angeli, has demonstrated growth and resilience throughout his collegiate career and in two big games, both of which were won by the Irish, he was for a least a time the most important man on the Fighting Irish planet.
High School Career and Recruitment
Angeli attended Bergen Catholic High School, in New Jersey where he showcased his talent as a pro-style quarterback. Over his high school career, Angeli completed 205 of 321 pass attempts, accumulating 2,882 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. Ranked the 365th best player nationally by 247 Sports’ composite ranking system he received scholarship offers from the likes of Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Michigan, and LSU. Ultimately, Angeli committed to Notre Dame on March 4, 2021, and was an January enrollee in the class of 2022.
Collegiate Performance
Over three seasons with the Fighting Irish, Angeli has appeared in 16 games, amassing 772 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and one interception. His completion percentage stands at 72.2%, reflecting his efficiency and accuracy as a passer.
As a Freshman during the 2022 season he sat behind Tyler Buchner and Drew Pyne on the depth chart. He saw action in two games but was not credited with any stats.
The 2023 season was a very different story. With Buchner and Pyne gone, the Irish brought in Sam Hartman and Angeli was elevated to first QB off the bench. He appeared in nine games and hit 34 of 44 passes (77.3%) for 504 yards and 7 TDs with 1 interception.
Then when Hartman opted out of the postseason, Angeli became the starter in the Sun Bowl. He answered the call with flying colors. He went 15-19 for 232 yards and 3 TDs, and 0 interceptions. He even threw in a few scrambles good for 27 yards rushing. Angeli was arguably the best player on the field that day as the Irish dominated Oregon State 40-8. His play was so impressive, that I cast my media vote for him as the game MVP. (An honor that went to Jordan Faison.)
With Hartman out of the way it looked like Angeli might well contend for the starting position in the Spring of 2024. But then ND plucked Riley Leonard out of the portal from Wake Forest. The rest is college football playoff history as Leonard started every game and turned in an outstanding, record setting season as the Irish rolled to 14-2 and a final #2 ranking. In spot duty Angeli was 24-36 for 268 yards and 3 TDs with no interceptions.
But Angeli most definitely made his mark on the season. A really big one. Late in the second quarter in the playoff semifinal against Penn State things were looking bleak. Trailing 10-0, starting quarterback Riley Leonard was forced to exit the game due to injury. Angeli stepped in and efficiently led a crucial scoring drive, completing 6 of 7 passes for 44 yards. His composure under pressure set up a 41-yard field goal by Mitch Jeter as time expired in the first half, narrowing the deficit to 10-3. Undoubtedly his performance provided a much-needed spark for Notre Dame. Leonard returned in the second half, but the game’s momentum had shifted and the second half turned into a classic battle, and Notre Dame win.
Prospects for 2025
Entering 2025, Angeli has two years of eligibility and figures to get a shot at the starting QB slot. However, the competition is fierce. Redshirt sophomore CJ Carr, a highly touted recruit with impressive athleticism, offers a dynamic dual-threat option that aligns with head coach Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s preference for mobile quarterbacks. Additionally, redshirt junior Kenny Minchey is in the mix, also with a dual threat skillset.
As the Irish approach this Spring, Angeli will get his shot at the starting job but If he doesn’t win it, will he transfer?
It is going to be an interesting Spring.