Syndication: South Bend Tribune Notre Dame offensive line coach Joe Rudolph speaks with quarterback Kenny Minchey (8) before an NCAA college football game against Florida State. On Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in South Bend.

Notre Dame QB hits transfer portal after CFP snub

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Dec 8, 2025 2:29 PM ET

The season for the N0. 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish is over following the College Football Playoff selection committee’s decision to toy with the program as a prop to get its fans to watch rankings shows on ESPN.

The Fighting Irish chose to reject a bid to play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against No. 12 BYU, an opportunity to see which of the remaining players on each roster had more fight after being the first two teams left out of the CFP.

Nice try ESPN!

Notre Dame players and coaches thought it was better to skip the bowl as seniors prepare for the draft and other members contemplate their future for 2026, via On3. The team playing in the bowl game would not have been the same one that won ten games in a row to end the regular season.

Following the Irish’s decision to bring the season to a close, the team is losing a key piece of depth for 2026.

Could Notre Dame QB Kenny Minchey go to Vandy?

Per Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer of CBS Sports, quarterback Kenny Minchey is set to hit the transfer portal.

“Notre Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey is expected to enter the transfer portal, sources tell me and @chris_hummer for @CBSSports,” Zenitz posted on X. “Former four-star recruit who nearly won the Fighting Irish starting QB job before Notre Dame ultimately went with CJ Carr.”

With some added context to the decision, Pete Sampson of The Athletic hinted Minchey, a native of Hendersonville, Tennessee, could be in play for Vanderbilt to replace Heisman Trophy-hopeful Diego Pavia.

Kenny Minchey is from the Nashville area and there’s a local school there that has an opening at quarterback. https://t.co/ZoV1vI89FB

— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) December 8, 2025

Minchey, a sophomore, went 20-of-26 passing for 196 yards this season. He added 84 yards and one touchdown on the ground. He’s not expected to see much playing time with C.J. Carr becoming one of the better passers in the nation.

The No. 1 goal for the Irish is to make sure Carr returns in 2026. The freshman went 195-of-293 passing for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions this season.

Oct 11, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) looks to pass against the NC State Wolfpack during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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