Marcus Freeman considers how to develop backup quarterbacks during fall camp

Marcus Freeman is set at quarterback with Sam Hartman, but that doesn’t mean the backup quarterbacks don’t need attention.

Steve Angeli and Kenny Minchey are battling for the backup spot behind Hartman, but Freeman’s new philosophy at Notre Dame is to create competition and make sure guys as far down as third string get quality reps. God forbid Hartman goes down with an injury, one of Angeli or Minchey needs to be ready.

Freeman made it a point to have practice reps scripted for the “threes.”

“When you have a quarterback in certain positions, especially the threes that need the valuable reps, you have to script threes in there,” Freeman said. “And that’s something in the past that I’ve said, ‘Alright, we’re good on the threes. Hey, we’ll get them later. We’ll get them after practice.’

“We’ve had a lot of reps with our threes because we have not just at the corner position, we have guys at the D-line, the O-line that have to be able to show us what they can do and we got to give him a chance to develop.”

So far, so good for Freeman when he took a look at the backup quarterbacks.

“So I’ve seen a lot of good out of Steve and Kenny, you know? I think coach Gino Guidugli and Gerad Parker have done a great job of getting those guys to understand what the scheme is really how to perform. Both of them performed really well today. Really, really well.”

As a member of the Class of 2022, Angeli was a three-star recruit out of Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 7 overall prospect in the state, the No. 33 quarterback in the class and the No. 571 overall prospect in the class.

Minchey is an intriguing prospect, a true freshman to boot.

As a member of the Class of 2023, Minchey was a four-star recruit out of Hendersonville (Tenn.) Pope John Paul II, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 3 overall prospect in the state, the No. 14 quarterback in the class and the No. 171 overall prospect in the class.

The backup quarterback spot is integral for Notre Dame this season. There’s only one Hartman in the country, but one of Angeli or Minchey better be ready.

Freeman seems to be everything he can to keep them on their toes.