CJ Carr Takes the Lead as Notre Dame’s QB, Focused on Trust and Growth
Notre Dame has named redshirt freshman CJ Carr the starting quarterback, signaling a new era as the Irish prepare to build around him. Carr stressed that trust with offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock is the foundation for anything the offense will attempt this season and beyond.
The big emphasis, Carr said, is cultivating trust before they fine-tune plays that defenses might counter. “We’ve got to come out every day and keep building trust with Denbrock and the rest of the staff, and just keep getting better,” he added.
Denbrock acknowledged the quarterback competition has featured both high points and costly mistakes from Carr and fellow contender Kenny Minchey during camp. Still, he highlighted a key trait: resiliency. “What stood out was the ability to bounce back after a bad play and make an explosive pass or a solid read shortly after,” Denbrock said after the second camp practice.
The Irish offense is expected to take a significant step forward in 2025, and officials don’t attribute that solely to the quarterback. Carr believes the entire unit is in a stronger position in the second year under Denbrock, thanks to a fuller understanding of the scheme. “We’re much further along in our offensive plan than last year,” Carr noted, pointing to the spring sessions and a summer period where players could work without constant coaching pressure, allowing the receivers to operate more freely and test ideas.
Leadership will be a critical factor as Carr aims to carve out his own role beyond Riley Leonard’s recent shadow. “Kenny and I have done our part to lead and make the offense our own,” Carr said. “We’re not the same player Riley was, for better and for worse. We’ll carry forward what he gave us—his leadership and approach—and build on that foundation.”
Carr’s upbringing and family context have prepared him for this moment, and he has leaned on a close relationship with former Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book, who has trained with Carr and offers a unique, unbiased perspective on what it takes to navigate the quarterback position at Notre Dame. Book—a Michigan legacy who has lived in South Bend and worked with Carr through Will Hewlett in Jacksonville—has provided guidance without bias, helping Carr understand the pressures and responsibilities of the role.
With Book’s insights and the continued development of Denbrock’s system, Notre Dame’s offense appears poised to grow in 2025. Carr’s leadership, combined with a collaborative approach from the coaching staff and a resourceful mentorship network, signals a hopeful path forward for a program aiming to contend at the highest level.
Summary: Notre Dame has installed CJ Carr as the starting quarterback, emphasizing trust and growth with Mike Denbrock’s offense. Through competition with Kenny Minchey, resilience shown in camp, and mentorship from Ian Book, Carr aims to lead a more advanced offense in 2025, building on the foundation laid by his predecessors and the coaching staff.
What to watch:
– How Carr translates trust into decision-making during live game reps.
– Denbrock’s play-calling balance with a growing quarterback room.
– The progression of the offense as players gain comfort in the scheme.
– The influence of Book’s mentorship on Carr’s leadership and on-field choices.