Notre Dame QB Steve Angeli Learning Life Lessons, Focused on Development
One could argue that several Notre Dame players gained significant momentum into the offseason following bowl prep opportunities and performances in the Sun Bowl win over Oregon State in December.
Quarterback Steve Angeli might be No. 1 on that list.
The New Jersey native got the starting nod, which meant he got to experience being QB1 at Notre Dame for a month. Angeli then capped off the season by going 15-of-19 for 232 yards and three touchdowns against the Beavers.
It was quite the statement as quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli had some doubts if Angeli would be ready for college football last spring.
“Happy with his progression,” stated Guidugli. “Steve, last year at this time, you’d like, ‘I don’t know.’ From last year’s spring through the season to the bowl game, which he started, to now, the progression has been tremendous. He and I are hoping that progression continues through this summer and fall this year.”
Angeli’s development can be credited in many ways. As the player, Angeli did the work and embraced soaking up knowledge over the last year. Guidugli is the leader of the room and has a history of developing quarterbacks. But if you ask Angeli, Sam Hartman gets his fair share of credit as he was able to show how to be a college quarterback, which is something the 6-foot-2, 211-pounder didn’t get his freshman year as Tyler Buchner and Drew Pyne were trying to figure out how to be QB1.
“I credit Sam for teaching me a lot of stuff he’s learned,” Angeli explained. “He’s a guy who played a lot of ball. There’s a lot of stuff he’s taught me, especially from the preparation aspect. Throughout the whole season, even though I’m not the starter, I’m preparing like I am with every practice. When my time came, I was able to capitalize on it, but really, the preparation part is where he taught me a lot.”
With momentum on his side, Angeli is now being tasked with learning a new offense from offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock.
The good news is that Angeli learned a new system last year under Gerad Parker, but this will be the third offense he’s learned during his three years on campus. It’s not easy and certainly not ideal to switch coordinators every year, but Angeli has turned it into a positive.
“One person I’ve talked about this with a lot has been Coach (Al) Golden,” Angeli said. “He’s been around the NFL and been to a lot of places. He told me as things go in football, it’s like nothing really changes the way that the plays are run. Just the verbiage and the scheme and the way you attack changes, so it’s been good I’ve been able to learn three offenses and new terminology.
“It’s fun. It’s another challenge. I’m having a good time learning and diving in to learn more about football.”
Angeli takes a great deal of pride in the mental aspect of the game, which has allowed him to learn the new offense and be more confident and quicker in his decision-making on the field.
“When you’re able to understand a scheme and understand an offense, you’re able to play faster and with more clarity,” said Angeli. “It goes back to preparation and the way you study.”
Perhaps the unexpected challenge of learning a new offense is doing it with basically a new receiver room.
Angeli and the other three Irish quarterbacks have the same goal this spring and it’s to build a rapport with the receiving corps - and do it quickly. It starts with player-run throwing sessions and then continues outside The Gug.
“Extra work that goes on outside and really just spending time with those guys off the field,” Angeli said of how he’s building a rapport with Notre Dame’s new receivers. “I was once a mid-year and guys took me under their wing and showed me the ropes. That means a lot. When you make plays with them and stuff where you’re able to throw a lot of balls to see how they run routes, it means a lot to get a feel for these guys.
“Overall, the new guys who have come in, we’ve been building great relationships.”
Guidugli, a former quarterback himself, knows the tough position his quarterbacks are in, but also challenged them to take ownership of building relationships and chemistry with the receivers.
“Those guys will really own that this summer,” explained Guidugli. “I think you’ll see a big jump from us getting through the spring. Those guys embracing it in the summer and us coming back out in the fall and being ready to go understanding it and being on the same page as far as chemistry and timing wise.”
And as far as the elephant in the room with Riley Leonard’s transfer into the Notre Dame program, Angeli has taken that in stride.
Every quarterback wants to be the guy, but the quarterback room at Notre Dame is once again in a healthy place. Angeli’s focus remains on himself and not the competition around him, which is exactly Guidugli’s message to the room.
“I think football just teaches you so much about life,” said Angeli. “Not every situation you go through, not everything you experience is going to be perfect or the way you want it. Every opportunity gives you a chance to learn and grow.
“My focus throughout this is on myself and on my teammates. It’s only my reps that matter. I focus on myself and try to do the best with what I have. You get in trouble when you start looking around and other things that are going on that have nothing to do with you and what you have going on.”
Looking to join a Fighting Irish community and get the latest scoop? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Varsity Sleeveless Hoodie Tank Top
