Kenny Minchey, pregame warm-up Ross-Ade stadium, September 14, 2024. (Photo: Chad Ryan)
Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series on the candidates to take over the Notre Dame quarterback position in 2025. In case you missed it, here is the first installment: Fighting Irish Preview 101: Steve Angeli
It sometimes seems that redshirt sophomore Kenny Minchey is overlooked in the battle to ascend to the starting quarterback position in 2025. Steve Angeli has been around longer and has had some impressive performances for the Irish, and CJ Carr came into South Bend last year with a lot of fanfare and very impressive recruiting rankings. But Minchey brings serious credentials of his own to the battle, and his quarterback coach Gino Guidugli knows it.
In the spring of 2024, Guidugli had this to say about Minchey’s confidence, “There’s not a window small enough that he doesn’t think he can throw the ball through. Gunslinger. He doesn’t see a pass he doesn’t like. You like that, but you kind of have to harness that.” Then last August he noted progress in the young quarterback, “Kenny has developed a sense of urgency. I think he’s understanding and seeing defenses better.”
Here is what you need to know about Kenny Minchey.
High School
Minchey hails from Hendersonville, Tennessee. He made a name for himself thee at Pope John Paul II High School. Over his high school career, he completed 63% of his passes for 5,451 yards, 57 touchdowns, and only 13 interceptions. His junior season was particularly impressive, as he threw for 3,280 yards and 32 touchdowns while maintaining a 61.3% completion rate. His senior season (2022) unfortunately was cut short to just four games due to a shoulder injury. Nonetheless that season, he hit 47 of 64 passes for 768 yards and tossed 11 TDs and just one interception.
While primarily a pocket passer, Minchey also contributed in the run game. He rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns on 52 carries as a junior and consistently showed an ability to extend plays when needed.
His accuracy, poise, and football IQ made him a sought-after recruit among top college programs. Some highlights from his 24/7 Sports recruiting profile include: “Displays good athleticism and mobility to extend plays in and outside the pocket,” “Possesses a quick release and strong arm capable of making every throw on the field,” “Exhibits natural instincts and excels on the move outside the pocket as a passer,” and “Minchey projects to a high-level multi-year starter at the Power Five level.”
Recruitment Process
Rated a consensus four-star prospect, according to 24/7 Sports, he was the 14th-best quarterback and the number 206 player overall. Minchey was impressive enough that he was invited to play in the prestigious 2023 All-American Bowl.
He garnered widespread attention and received scholarship offers from the SEC, Big Ten, ACC and the MAC. Initially, he committed to Pittsburgh in April 2022, but after receiving an offer from Notre Dame in July, he reconsidered. Following an official visit to South Bend in November 2022, Minchey decommitted from Pittsburgh, and a few weeks later, announced his commitment to Notre Dame.
Notre Dame Career
Minchey arrived on campus in January 2023 and saw limited action as a freshman. His college debut came on September 2, 2023, against Tennessee State, where he completed 2-of-2 passes in a 56-3 victory. In all, he appeared in three games, completing both of his pass attempts for 12 yards.
In the 2024 Blue-Gold Spring game, he did see extended action and finished the day 12-19 for 123 yards and 1 TD with 1 interception. His TD pass was a 26-yarder to Micah Gilbert. He added a five-yard TD run to his body of work.
In the 2024 regular season, Minchey appeared in just one game, the 66-7 rout of Purdue. That day, he completed his one pass attempt for 4 yards and rushed twice for 12 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown run.
Prospects for 2025
After two years in the program, Minchey’s body of game-day experience consists of four brief appearances, three pass attempts, and one rushing touchdown. Therefore, little is actually known about him. Gino Guidugli’s comments in the spring and summer of 2024 however, should not be forgotten. The ND coaching staff likes what they see in him. Minchey’s high school resume was impressive, and he now has two years learning the system. In limited live bullet game appearances, he has played well.
Including the upcoming season, Kenny Minchey has three years of eligibility left, a fact that undoubtedly would make him an attractive target in the transfer portal. If given the opportunity, Minchey has the tools to become a key contributor to Notre Dame’s offense or another program’s offense. His battle this spring will likely land him either in the starter or next man up role, or in the transfer portal.