(Photo: Joseph Weiser)
Editor’s Note: this is the third in a series on the contenders at quarterback this spring. For the other two installments see: Fighting Irish Preview 101-Steve Angeli and Fighting Irish Preview 101-Kenney Minchey
As a highly touted quarterback prospect and the grandson of a former Michigan head coach (1995-2007) Lloyd Carr , CJ Carr’s arrival at Notre Dame before the 2024 season generated considerable excitement among fans eager to see how his impressive skills will translate to the collegiate level. Add to that, the fact that ND has had a different starting quarterback to open each of the last five seasons (Leonard, Hartman, Buchner, Coan, Book) and ND fans and I think it is safe to say, Marcus Freeman, are eager to anoint a multi-year leader.
6-3, 210 pound CJ Carr may be the guy to fill that bill.
High School Career
Carr attended Saline High School in Michigan, where he established himself as one of the top quarterback prospects in the country. He led the Saline Hornets to multiple conference championships, including one in his senior year. During that senior season, Carr completed 198 of 292 passes for 2,754 yards and 24 touchdowns, earning him first-team all-state honors from the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association.
As a junior, Carr threw for 2,685 yards with 26 touchdowns, while running for 221 yards and seven scores. His sophomore year was equally impressive, with 2,696 yards and 28 touchdowns. Carr’s success was not limited to his stats; he was named an All-American and participated in the Elite 11 Finals and the All-American Bowl.
Carr’s development was rapid. In a day and age where serious athletic training starts earlier and earlier, he didn’t start playing tackle football until the seventh grade. His maturity and leadership on the field were praised by his coach, Joe Palka, who noted that Carr made decisions “well beyond his years”. Among the high school scouting report notes from 24/7 Sports were the following: “Very cerebral player who studies the game”, “can get the ball to any part of the field” , “good enough athlete to get around in the pocket, escape the rush and run if need be” and “very safe projection as a college starter”.
Carr’s high school recruitment was marked by his status as a consensus four-star prospect and his notable football lineage. Standing at 6’3″ and 210 pounds (as of 2024), Carr was ranked as the 37th overall prospect nationally, the third-best quarterback, and top player in Michigan by ESPN.
By the end of his freshman year he already had received scholarship offers from Michigan and Michigan State. Soon he added offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU half the Big Ten and a dozen others. Due to his family bloodline, Michigan was the favorite. But on June 9, 2022, before the start of his senior season, he committed to Notre Dame, signaling his intent to carve out his own path in college football.
At Notre Dame
Carr arrived in South Bend as an early enrollee in December 2023 and was actually able to participate in ND’s Sun Bowl preparations as they were ongoing after Notre Dame’s first semester had ended.
As spring practices took place in 2024, a couple of glimpses of the young quarterback were promising.
In the April 17, 2024 “jersey scrimmage”, Carr signaled readiness for collegiate play. He completed six of eleven passes for 85 yards. The media, including Fighting Irish Preview was allowed access that day and on one particular upfield throw Carr hit a window so tight and with such a perfect spiral, there was an audible gasp in the press box. He also managed an impressive touchdown run in the “don’t hit the QB” scrimmage.
The annual Blue-Gold Game a week later, further highlighted Carr’s abilities. He hit eight of thirteen passes for 99 yards and a touchdown, displaying poise and accuracy. He finished with 165 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.
Carr made his collegiate debut in deep mop up duty during the rout of Purdue in September 2024. He played four snaps.
Carr’s progress was slowed by an elbow injury suffered in a September practice. While not considered serious, ND took a conservative approach to his rehab, but during ND’s postseason playoff run , he was viewed comfortably throwing passing during game warmups. As of January 2025, Carr stated he was “100% healthy”. At a recent press availability, head trainer, Rob Hunt confirmed that Carr was full go for spring football this year.
Prospects for 2025
What sets Carr apart is not just his physical talents, but his maturity and work ethic. Coaches and teammates have praised his eagerness to learn and develop. His competitive drive and football IQ are evident in his approach to the game, viewing quarterbacking as a chess match and relishing the mental challenge of reading defenses and making adjustments.
Carr clearly will compete with Steve Angeli and Kenney Minchey in the coming spring and summer to take ND’s starting QB job for 2025. In fact he most likely is the favorite to win the job. But a difficult early-season schedule, including the season opener at Miami and a match up with Texas A&M, adds complexity to the decision. Do you really start a QB with virtually no game experience in the season opener, in front of a hostile crowd against a Miami team that figures to be a top 20 squad?
CJ Carr is the most highly touted quarterback prospect to enroll at Notre Dame since Jimmy Clausen (2007-09). He has all the tools to be an outstanding quarterback. Lack of experience may keep him out of some early season games, but don’t be surprised if he does earns the job by midyear, if not earlier.
.