Notre Dame QB Steve Angeli Embraces Hard Work Over Easy Path
Steve Angeli has always been about work.
The New Jersey native didn’t have the luxury of having a normal recruitment as his evaluation process happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevented prospects from visiting schools and coaches from stopping by to watch workouts.
Angeli and his quarterback coach Matt Bastardi put together a private workout to send to coaches and allowed Notre Dame to get an evaluation in.
Fast-forward to 2024, and Angeli took it upon himself once again to get extra work in over summer break. Angeli traveled to California to train with 3D QB and he wasn’t alone. Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss), Noah Fiftita (Arizona), Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee), Jayden Daniels (Washington), Jared Goff (Detroit), CJ Stroud (Houston), Bryce Young (Carolina), Sam Hartman (Washington), Michael Penix (Atlanta) and JJ McCarthy (Minnesota) also train with 3D QB.
“Just going and getting around a new group of people, 3D QB, definitely helped me a lot,” said Angeli. “Going out there and learning some new things, work on some stuff and getting around a new set of eyes. You’re always able to improve, so I wanted to get out in front of a new pair of eyes to see what I could work on.”
Angeli was able to get valuable experience a year ago by playing in eight games, including starting the Sun Bowl and leading Notre Dame to victory over Oregon State.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder has noticed the benefits of getting live experience and it’s paying off in fall camp.
“I feel like I’ve been in a season of constant improvement every day,” said Angeli. “Whatever the one or two things I’m writing down to get better on the day, I feel I’m hitting on those every day.”
Over the last two seasons, Angeli has seen Notre Dame bring in a transfer quarterback to start, which likely hasn’t been easy to take. Yet, Angeli hasn’t backed away from the competition and didn’t enter the NCAA Transfer Portal as most quarterbacks do when competition is brought into the room.
“My philosophy is I’m not a quitter,” stated Angeli. “I like to do stuff the hard way. There are definitely easier routes, but being a guy who made a decision to come here, I’m going to do it all like that and stay here and make it work.”
Angeli and the other Notre Dame quarterbacks are also in the same boat as once again the Irish have a new offense to master. Mike Denbrock has brought an up-tempo scheme that is designed to create explosive plays, but it starts with good quarterback play and decision-making.
“I have a great feeling about the offense,” explained Angeli. “I had a full spring ball under my belt going into camp and having all the receivers get here to get up to speed. I feel really good about where I’m at.”
Credit should go to quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli, as all four quarterbacks are getting quality reps during camp. Marcus Freeman’s decision to change team periods has also allowed for more reps, as the varsity is on one field, while the third and fourth string heads to a second field to do the same work.
“Coach Gino does a great job of scripting practice for us and giving out the reps,” Angeli stated. “He’s done a great jo of getting everyone their fair share of reps to improve.”
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