Notre Dame has named redshirt freshman CJ Carr the starting quarterback, ending a competition that had fans and analysts watching every practice rep. The Irish announced Carr’s elevation to the starter role on Tuesday, with redshirt sophomore Kenny Minchey earning the backup job and redshirt junior Steve Angeli transferring to Syracuse after spring practice.
Carr will make his first regular-season start in Week 1 against Miami, with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 31, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It will be a nationwide showcase on ABC as No. 13 Notre Dame opens its season in the Carr era.
The youngest quarterback in the competition emerged on top in Marcus Freeman’s first true quarterback battle since taking over as head coach in 2022. Carr arrives in South Bend as a highly touted prospect who committed to Notre Dame over several top programs in June 2022. The Saline, Michigan product was regarded as the quarterback of the future, ranking as the No. 6 quarterback recruit and No. 68 overall in the 2024 class.
Carr’s path to this moment has not been without hurdles. He appeared in only one game as a true freshman due to a September elbow injury and therefore enters Week 1 with zero collegiate pass attempts. In practice, though, he has shown the ability to attack all three levels with accuracy and anticipatory throws, and he has impressed with his pocket presence and ability to extend plays.
The competition saw Carr edge out Minchey, who is known for his rushing ability, and Angeli, who transferred to Syracuse. Notre Dame’s offensive staff, led by coordinator Mike Denbrock, has generally favored dual-threat styles, but the choice here underscores the coaching staff’s belief that Carr’s passing ability and decision-making were too compelling to pass up.
Freeman indicated after the team’s jersey scrimmage that both players had performed at a high level, and the final decision came after further evaluation of practice. The 7:30 p.m. kickoff will mark Carr’s first college start, offering an early test for a Notre Dame offense looking to establish rhythm with a new quarterback.
Bottom line: Carr steps into a pivotal role as Notre Dame’s No. 1 quarterback, with Minchey as the primary backup and Angeli out of the program. The early schedule includes a national spotlight game against Miami that will gauge how quickly Carr can translate practice success into game-ready execution.
Additional notes and context:
– Carr’s height and pocket presence give him a pro-style framework that could help him manage an offense that values accuracy and timing.
– The decision keeps the door open for continued competition behind him, but carries high expectations for Carr to quickly command the offense and protect the football.
– If Carr hits the ground running, Notre Dame could build early momentum with a favorable schedule to start the season.
Positive outlook: Notre Dame is betting on Carr’s long-term potential and development, hoping his skill set brings a steady passing attack complemented by a capable running game. With a strong supporting cast and a kickoff in a nationally televised game, this season could be a timely breakout moment for the Carr era.