All-American QB Kenny Minchey signs with Notre Dame football
Notre Dame’s flip of Kenny Minchey is now completed. The four-star quarterback signed his letter of intent with the Fighting Irish this morning.
A couple months ago, Notre Dame’s quarterback recruiting in the 2023 class had the potential to be a disaster. Not only did the Irish miss out on their top targets, they passed on others earlier in the cycle who they would’ve loved to have committed later on.
For example, we believe the Irish could’ve had an early pledge from Maize (Kan.) High’s Avery Johnson, but the staff zeroed in on Detroit Martin Luther King’s Dante Moore. After Notre Dame couldn’t land Moore, Tommy Rees and Co. got back in touch with Johnson, who was firm with Kansas State at that time.
It certainly worked out in the end for Notre Dame, though.
Rees offered Minchey, an Elite 11 finalist and All-American Bowl commit, at the end of July, but with August being a dead period and the start of Minchey’s senior season around the corner, the Irish’s chances were bleak. Minchey essentially told Notre Dame, “Thanks but no thanks.”
The Irish staff continued to keep in touch with Minchey, who was committed to Pittsburgh, throughout the fall as they also looked at other signal-caller options as well. Notre Dame was wise to stay in contact with Minchey, as he talked with his parents about the Irish as a potential flip option. It came together quickly, as Minchey scheduled an official visit with Notre Dame in short order, decommitted from the Panthers and announced his pledge coming off the trip.
PROMOTION: Join for only $10 to unlock premium access until the start of the 2023 football season
Minchey’s commitment to Notre Dame came Nov. 22, and the Irish staff visited with the standout from Hendersonville (Tenn.) Pope John Paul II three times during the December contact period, which was the maximum amount they were able to see him.
In 13 games played in 2021, Minchey completed 215 of 351 passes for 3,280 yards with 32 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. On the ground, he added 137 yards and 3 scores on 52 attempts.
He suffered a shoulder injury in early September and missed most of his senior season but was able to return to action Nov. 4 and led his team to a 35-13 playoff victory that night. He felt some discomfort in his throwing shoulder the next week and decided not to risk potential injury by playing further.
During his shortened senior season that included five full games, Minchey completed 65 of 94 passes for 1,007 yards with 15 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He added 43 rushing yards on 11 carries.
