Tommy Carr hasn’t been around Michigan football for long, but the family name already carries serious weight in Ann Arbor.
The true freshman quarterback made his first collegiate start on Oct. 24 against Indiana after giving Michigan a lift in a 21-18 comeback win over Penn State on Oct. 17, a result that delivered the Wolverines their first Big Ten win of the season. Michigan then fell 13-6 in overtime to Indiana at home, but Carr helped steady the offense again in a 28-21 win over Rutgers on Oct. 31, which was his first road start.
For Michigan fans, the last name is impossible to miss. Tommy is the grandson of Lloyd Carr, the former Wolverines coach who led the program from 1995-2007 and won the 1997 national championship, Michigan’s last title in football until the most recent one in 2023.
Lloyd Carr first came to Michigan as a defensive backs coach in 1980, moved up to defensive coordinator in 1987 and took over as head coach eight seasons later. Across 38 seasons on the staff, he became one of the most decorated figures in program history.
Tommy is also part of a quarterback-heavy family tree. His older brother, CJ Carr, is the current starting quarterback at Notre Dame and a Heisman Trophy favorite. CJ, who also played at Saline, was one of the most coveted quarterbacks in the class of 2024, and his decision to pick Notre Dame over Michigan sent shockwaves through the college football world.
Tommy’s path was different. He originally committed to Miami (Ohio), then flipped to Michigan after his senior season. He is the son of Jason Carr, who was a backup quarterback at Michigan from 1992-95.
The family story also includes tragedy and purpose. Tommy’s younger brother, Chad Carr, died in 2015 at age 5 from an incurable brain cancer known as DIPG. That led to the creation of ChadTough, the foundation the Carr family started to support other families dealing with DIPG and to push toward a cure.
And no, Tommy Carr is not related to former NFL quarterbacks David Carr or Derek Carr. The two brothers who starred in the league were both born in central California and played at Fresno State, far from Saline.
As for the present, Carr has been tabbed as Michigan’s starter against Michigan State. If he stays healthy and keeps performing, he will likely hold the job the rest of the season and replace sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood as the captain of the offense. Entering that game, Carr has played in four games and started two for the Wolverines this season.
In Other News...
Michigan Just Exposed A Bigger Problem Than Losing To Michigan State
Michigans 15-6 loss to Michigan State was jarring enough on its own, but the way it unfolded made the result feel even heavier for a program that went in as a two-touchdown favorite. The Wolverines managed only 192 total yards, gave the ball away four times and were outplayed on the ground, a combination that left little doubt about why the night went sideways so quickly.
What makes the setback sting beyond the rivalry scoreline is the bigger picture it exposed in the 2026 season. The offense never found a rhythm, the coaching decisions came under the microscope and even special teams became part of the conversation, leaving Michigan with more to sort through than just one bad loss. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Just Got A Needed Recruiting Win At The Right Time
Michigan picked up a timely boost on the recruiting trail when Xavier Muhammad, one of the more highly regarded defensive line prospects in the 2027 cycle, reaffirmed his commitment to the Wolverines and shut down plans to take official visits elsewhere, including to Texas. For a program that always has to protect its future pipeline, keeping a player of Muhammads caliber in the fold matters, especially as the season winds down and recruiting attention starts to sharpen.
Muhammad is still expected in Ann Arbor for Michigans final home game, giving the staff another chance to reinforce the relationship in person. His continued pledge also helps the Wolverines 2027 class standing, which is exactly the kind of early momentum programs want when the calendar turns and the recruiting race starts to harden. [Read more 🡒]
Michigans Rivalry Loss Just Turned Up The Heat On Its Coaches
Michigans loss to Michigan State had the feel of more than just a rivalry setback. The Wolverines had won four straight in the series, but a 15-6 defeat snapped that run and exposed the same offensive issues that have been hanging over the program. Turnovers, stalled drives and shaky quarterback play all played a part in a game Michigan never really controlled.
The bigger concern is what the performance says about the coaching staffs ability to get the offense moving when it matters most. Michigan State also picked up its first Big Ten win under Pat Fitzgerald, which only sharpened the optics of the loss for Michigan. For a team with higher expectations, this was the kind of night that invites hard questions about direction, execution and whether the current approach is getting enough out of the roster. [Read more 🡒]