CJ Carr has been the talk of the town this offseason, and for good reason. The buzz surrounding him at the Manning Passing Academy is particularly noteworthy, as it's based on what the Notre Dame quarterback is doing on the field right now, rather than past performances or future expectations.
In a recent analysis by On3's Wilson Alexander, Carr was highlighted as the second-best performer at the camp. Interestingly, the quarterback who snagged the top spot, NC State's CJ Bailey, might not be the first name that comes to mind for many. But that's the beauty of these camps-it's all about current performance, not preconceived rankings.
One Reddit user took a closer look at Alexander's breakdown of Carr's performance, and it's clear why the young QB is making waves. The camp, which includes participants like Arch Manning, saw Carr outperform some of the most promising quarterbacks in the nation, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his accomplishments.
Alexander noted, "CJ Carr had one of the smoothest throwing motions among the quarterbacks. He uses his base well, and there’s not a lot of wasted movement.
There was an efficiency to his mechanics that stood out." This kind of technical precision is what sets Carr apart and has analysts buzzing.
Carr's performance was not about making flashy throws, but rather demonstrating accuracy and touch across various distances. As he steps into his second year as Notre Dame's starting quarterback, building on a strong debut season, this kind of measured performance is exactly what fans and coaches hope to see.
Last season, Carr occasionally tried to do too much, resulting in unnecessary sacks and risky interceptions. The fact that he's focusing on precision over flair could indicate a more mature approach to the game this year.
While Carr finished just behind Bailey in Alexander's rankings, he managed to outshine several other top-tier quarterbacks, including:
- Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss)
- Jerry Kaminski (North Dakota)
- Arch Manning (Texas)
- John Mateer (Oklahoma)
- Drew Westemaker (Oklahoma State)
- Marcel Reed (Texas A&M)
- Julian Sayin (Ohio State)
- Kamario Taylor (Mississippi State)
- Conner Weigman (Houston)
It's particularly interesting to see Carr ahead of Mateer, who was recently touted as one of the best QBs in the country. And having two CJs leading the pack adds a fun twist to the narrative.
While these rankings won't directly influence the upcoming season, Notre Dame fans have every reason to be optimistic. CJ Carr's impressive showing against some of the nation's best quarterbacks is a promising sign of what might be in store for 2026.
In Other News...
Former Notre Dame QB Sends CJ Carr A Telling Message
Kenny Mincheys move out of South Bend was always going to leave a little ripple behind, given how long he had been part of Notre Dames quarterback room and how many different faces he watched cycle through it. After backing up the likes of Sam Hartman, Riley Leonard, Steve Angeli and then CJ Carr, Minchey decided a fresh start was the best path for him, a choice that also closed the book on a stint that included 10 games in an Irish uniform.
Even after leaving, Minchey made it clear theres no bitterness attached to the quarterback battle he lost. He offered support for Carr and Notre Dame heading into the season, while also pointing to Kentuckys coaching staff and quarterback development as the reasons he felt comfortable making the jump. It is the kind of message that says plenty about both sides of the decision, and leaves Carr with a former teammate still pulling for him from a distance. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Just Got Shut Out Of A QB Race That Mattered
Notre Dame already has one quarterback in its future plans, with Trey Tagliaferri committed as the Fighting Irishs 2028 recruit, but the next layer of the position board has turned in a different direction. Kingston Preyear had been one of the more important names for the Irish to track, given his profile as a highly rated quarterback prospect and the kind of arm talent that can shape an entire class.
Preyear is now set to choose from Alabama, Florida and Vanderbilt when he announces his commitment on July 10, leaving Notre Dame on the outside of a race it had hoped to stay in. For a program that is always balancing long-term depth with high-end upside at quarterback, the narrowing of that list matters almost as much as the decision itself. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Closing In On A Defensive Recruiting Statement
Notre Dame has already landed offensive lineman Albert Simien for its 2027 class, and the momentum around that group appears to be building on the defensive side as well. The Irish are reportedly in position to add linebacker Roman Igwebuike and defensive tackle Brayden Parks, two prospects who would give the class a much different feel if both follow through.
Igwebuike brings the kind of national profile Notre Dame wants in a linebacker target, with several programs still in the mix, while Parks has emerged as a priority along the defensive front. If the Irish can finish the job on both recruits, it would amount to a meaningful early statement for a 2027 class that is starting to take shape with some real upside. [Read more 🡒]