In August, Marcus Freeman had to make the call between CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey. Luck landed on Carr, but Minchey stuck around. In the aftermath of Freeman’s decision, the latest Here Come the Irish documentary featured the clip four months later. It recorded how Freeman had to do the tough job of breaking the news to Minchey. That’s what ‘trusting’ his gut comes up with months later.

“I met CJ ten minutes ago,” Freeman said, as found in the CCTV footage in the series. 

“I told him that he’s gonna start. It was a tough decision to make because both of you deserve to start. Right now, s- – – -. I understand. It will pass. I can’t say anything right now to make you feel better.” 

Freeman gave Carr the keys after a fierce preseason competition, and the rookie starter didn’t disappoint. He threw at least one touchdown in each of his first 12 games. He became the first quarterback to reach the milestone, mirroring Everett Golson, and Carr’s 24 passing scores are the highest in the first 12 starts by a Notre Dame quarterback since 1966.

As shown in the docuseries, Minchey sat and listened through it all. They were yet to know how Carr would quietly run the show in 2025, making Notre Dame’s offense one of the most electric in the country.

The redshirt freshman’s football IQ and maturity belied his first-year starter status. Even with Jeremiyah Love dominating the ground game, Freeman’s quarterback remained a fixture in the “Heisman Top 10.”

After 2025, Carr is firmly on the radar as a 2026 Heisman frontrunner. However, how did Freeman make his choice? 

Going by the head coach’s facial expression on episode eight of the series, it was obvious that he had to make the announcement while keeping a rock on his chest.  

“Every play, it can’t be a bomb,” Freeman said in an interview back in August. “Trust the game plan, trust what you see, be who you are, and win this play. I don’t want to put a numerical expectation on him.”

That’s because he had always treated both Carr and Minchey equally. 

“Both, as you evaluate the quarterback position, have an extremely high ceiling,” the head coach said in an interview back in May. “They both do things really well.”

Four months later from the release of the series, we now know how Freeman’s ‘trust the gut’ strategy paid off.

Winning Freeman over, Carr delivered his first 300-yard passing game in a 56-13 Arkansas win, finishing 22-of-30 for 354 yards and four touchdowns. The first-half 294 yards rank third all-time, and his four touchdowns are tied for second among freshman passers in Notre Dame history.

After gifting Freeman and Co. a heroic season, he had picked up the NFL spotlight, too.

Tom Brady, the minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, didn’t hold back on Carr. The GOAT dubbed him the top college signal-caller he’s watched since Joe Burrow. The reason behind Freeman’s naming Carr a starter is apparent. But the ripple effects could sting the Irish.

Which programs could lure Marcus Freeman’s backup?

When Freeman picked Carr as the quarterback before the season, he did not expect that Minchey would be planning to test the waters elsewhere.

Freeman and Co. were yet to get over the CFP heartbreak when they got hit with another fear. Back on December 7, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported Minchey had entered the transfer portal. 

Top Stories

“RIP”: Prayers Pour In as Tom Brady’s Raiders Struck by Tragedy

Footage Surfaces of Florida Police Arresting NASCAR Veteran Over Disturbing Public Misbehavior

“Rest in Peace”: Prayers Pour In From Dan Marino as Dolphins Legend Mourns Tragedy in South Florida Football

Caitlin Clark Shows Concerning Signs vs. Kelsey Plum During USA Camp Debut, per National Reporter

“NFL Was Crying”: Maxx Crosby Says League Forced Him to Remove Shoes Honoring His Daughter

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes Loses Faith in Kansas City With Cowboys Decision as FOX Host Calls Out Clark Hunt’s Ownership

Minchey is a four-star portal target per 247Sports, ranked the No. 1 quarterback and fourth overall. College Football HQ’s Joe Cox on SI names the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Cincinnati Bearcats as possible destinations for Freeman’s backup.

“Given the explosive season that the Red Raiders had, a spot replacing Behren Morton could be a nice landing spot,” Cox wrote. “Cincinnati QB Brendan Sorsby is rumored to be mulling over his own portal dive, and that could open things up for Minchey.”

While the Irish work to manage their quarterback depth chart, another potential disruption looms for the program, as Freeman’s own name has surfaced in coaching rumors. Going by the buzz, Freeman is the new name that has been doing the rounds in Ann Arbor as Sherrone Moore’s replacement. 

Urban Meyer, however, isn’t buying the Freeman-to-Michigan chatter. The former Ohio State head coach weighed in on the Buckeyes alum Freeman’s future.

“I don’t have much inside scoop on this, but someone said Marcus Freeman [to the Michigan Wolverines]. What are you, out of your mind?” said Meyer on The Triple Option podcast. 

Marcus Freeman has enough reasons to stay put in Notre Dame. He has already made the tough decision regarding Kenny Minchey. Now with CJ Carr drawing Heisman buzz and NFL attention, Freeman has a project to focus on for the Fighting Irish next season.