(Photo: Joe Weiser)
On August 19, Notre Dame finally put an end to its quarterback drama, announcing redshirt freshman CJ Carr as the starting quarterback for the Fighting Irish. What had seemed like Carr’s job all along turned into a true battle when sophomore Kenny Minchey pushed him to the wire, leaving fans restless. Just two days before the announcement, head coach Marcus Freeman was asked repeatedly about the situation and said, “We gotta make a decision here soon. I don’t want to put a timeline on it.” He wasted little time—Carr was named the starter 48 hours later.
Carr, from Saline, Michigan, committed to Notre Dame on June 9, 2022, and arrived with big expectations. A four-star recruit, he was ranked the No. 45 overall player in the 2024 class and the No. 6 quarterback nationally by 247Sports. He spent last season learning under Riley Leonard, who led Notre Dame to the national championship game, and has steadily grown into his role as the next leader of the Irish offense.
His growth was on display in this year’s Blue & Gold Game. Carr completed 14 of 19 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns, delivering two memorable strikes to tight ends Kevin Bauman and Jack Larsen. It was a continuation of his strong showing in the 2024 spring game, when he went 8-of-13 for 99 yards and a score. The arm talent has always been there—Carr isn’t afraid to take risks, and he thrives on throwing the deep ball to generate big plays.
Still, Minchey deserves plenty of credit for making this a true competition. More of a dual-threat quarterback than Carr, he showcased his mobility and ability to throw on the run throughout camp and in the spring game. Minchey may not have the same pure arm strength as Carr, but his athleticism will keep him in the mix, and Freeman may well look for ways to use him situationally.
As head coach, Freeman has frequently emphasized the value of position battles. Well Freeman got a battle alright, and presumably it raised raised the level of both players.
Now the focus shifts forward. On Sunday, August 31, Carr will take the field as Notre Dame’s starting quarterback for the first time when the Irish open the season against Miami. Surrounded by a veteran offensive line, a deep running back rotation, and a wide receiver group full of playmakers, Carr steps into an ideal situation. With Marcus Freeman at the helm and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock guiding the scheme, the stage is set.
The wait is over—CJ Carr is QB1 in South Bend.