Meet CJ Carr: Notre Dame's New Quarterback with a Legacy

Notre Dame's new starting quarterback, CJ Carr, is not just another player; he embodies a rich legacy in college football. At 20 years old, this redshirt freshman from Saline, Michigan, is the grandson of Lloyd Carr, the former head coach of the University of Michigan.

After sitting out last season while Riley Leonard led the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff National Championship, Carr is now poised to take charge as the team aims to replicate that success. The season kicks off on August 31 against No. 10 Miami.

Throughout the spring and summer, Carr engaged in a competitive battle for the starting position with Kenny Minchey, a redshirt sophomore from Tennessee. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman made the announcement earlier this month, stating he had to “trust my gut” in selecting Carr.

“Statistically, it was as close as any quarterback competition I’ve ever been a part of,” Freeman remarked on August 26. “I was looking for that to be the reason to make a decision, and it wasn’t clear.” Ultimately, Freeman praised Carr’s intelligence on the field, calling him “as intelligent of a football player you’ll be around.”

Confidence is key for a quarterback, and Freeman noted that Carr possesses it in abundance. “He’s a guy that’s very confident—at some points, you may be a little bit overconfident—but you want that in your quarterback,” he explained. “You want the quarterback to say, ‘I want the ball in my hands every play when the game is on the line.’”

After being named starter, Carr received an encouraging message from his grandfather. “He texted me after I got named and said that football runs in the Carr family blood,” CJ shared on August 27. “This is your moment; you’re ready for this.”

Tragedy struck the Carr family in November 2015 when CJ’s younger brother Chad passed away at just five years old after battling an inoperable brain cancer known as DIPG. CJ has committed to keeping Chad’s legacy alive through various initiatives, including his NIL deals.

Last year, he partnered with Steve Napleton’s Countryside Mazda in Illinois, motivated by their commitment to fighting pediatric brain cancer. “I wanted to partner with them because of their dedication to this cause,” Carr explained. “Every May and October, they donate to the Violet Foundation for pediatric brain cancer for every car sold or serviced.”

Despite offers from prestigious programs like Georgia, Alabama, LSU, and even Michigan—where his grandfather coached—Carr chose Notre Dame. “I love Notre Dame,” he stated upon his commitment in June 2022. “I know exactly how I will be coached there and what will be expected of me.”

After securing the starting role over Minchey, Carr felt a significant relief. “You come here and there’s direction on who’s the voice of the offense,” he told The Athletic on August 28. “When a mistake comes, it’s honestly like, ‘OK, this is a place in my game I can get better.’”

As he prepares for the upcoming game against Miami, Carr reached out to former Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard for advice. “Riley’s message was just be myself,” he said. “Ready to go,” Carr added confidently. “We’re a really good Notre Dame team.”