Quarterback CJ Carr Is Growing As A Leader For Notre Dame In 2026
Beyond arm talent, CJ Carr is forging deeper locker room connections, evolving into a commanding presence for Notre Dame's ambitious 2026 season.
For the first time since Ian Book in 2020, Notre Dame will have a returning starting quarterback under center in rising redshirt sophomore CJ Carr . The Michigan native won the competition last offseason and proceeded to start all 12 games for the Irish last fall. Along the way, Carr racked up 2,741 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, six interceptions and three rushing touchdowns.
His performance throughout the season engineered Notre Dame's 10-game win streak to end the season. Now, a year older and more experienced, Carr enters this offseason as the No. 1 guy and is taking command of the offense.
His physical tools and performance on the field are spoken for. But his abilities as a leader are starting to shine this offseason. According to his quarterback coach Gino Guidugli , that's the next step in Carr's evolution.
"What's cool is CJ has the ability to touch everybody in the locker room," Guidugli shared in yesterday's post-practice press conference. "There's a relationship with everyone. Defensively, offensively, there's a relationship involved with everybody and when you have that, you can confront people when they're wrong and demand that they do it right, because you're coming from a place where there is a relationship there.