Notre Dame hands keys to untested QB CJ Carr

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Notre Dame is handing the keys to the offense to sophomore CJ Carr, who had his hand raised by head coach Marcus Freeman as the victor of a competitive battle for the starting quarterback job with junior Kenny Minchey in fall camp.

Carr was thought to be trailing in the competition because he’s viewed as a slightly less athletic option and was picked off frequently in fall scrimmages by Notre Dame’s top-flight secondary.

Freeman summarized on Sunday afternoon that he was looking for the quarterback that checked the most boxes before deciding who would be best suited for leading the Fighting Irish on the road against No. 10 Miami next week.

“It’s about decision making. Because there’s so many different aspects that go into the outcome of a play,” Freeman said. “I always say it, we’ll give the quarterback credit when things are good, we’ll blame him if things are bad. But the one thing they control is their decision making and the ability to get everybody on the same page.”

Family ties are a common mention for Carr, the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr and son of former Wolverines backup quarterback Jason Carr.

CJ Carr appeared in only one game last season and has no pass attempts in college, a stark contrast from Notre Dame’s previous QB1s under Freeman.

Riley Leonard led Notre Dame to the national championship game last season after 21 starts in three seasons at Duke. He replaced 2023 starter Sam Hartman, a one-year option for the Fighting Irish who had 110 touchdown passes in a record-setting five seasons at Wake Forest.

“I think it’s been good for both Kenny and I to get in and lead and make the offense our own,” Carr said last week after Freeman dubbed the competition “too close to call.”

“We’re not the same player Riley was, for good and for bad. We have to continue to take what he gave us with leadership and how to play the game, and then also build upon what he brought as the foundation.”

–Field Level Media