Notre Dame's quarterback situation is crystal clear as spring practice kicks off. CJ Carr is the man at the helm, and after a stellar debut season in 2025, he's stepping into the spotlight as a Heisman contender.
The buzz isn't just about whether he can handle the pressure-it's about how far he can elevate his game. For Carr, this season is about more than just stats; it's about stepping up as a leader.
Carr's first year as a starter was impressive, with a 66.6% completion rate, 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. He showed remarkable poise and command.
But as quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli emphasized, it's not just about padding the stat line this year. It's about taking true ownership of the offense.
Guidugli believes Carr has the potential to be one of Notre Dame's all-time greats. "This spring, we expect him to lead this football team," Guidugli said, hinting at Carr's potential as a captain.
This is a new challenge for Carr. Last year, his focus was on securing the starting spot and proving himself.
Guidugli described his initial perspective as "seeing the game through a straw." Now, it's time for Carr to broaden that view.
Carr is embracing this shift, acknowledging that the offense is his to lead. "The focus this year is leadership-bringing the young guys along," Carr explained.
"If something needs to be said, say it. This is your offense."
Yet, Carr knows it's not just about him. "It's my offense, but it's really our offense.
We’ve got to execute together," he said. This balance of ownership and teamwork is crucial for Notre Dame, especially if this is Carr's final year with the team.
For the first time in years, Notre Dame enjoys continuity at quarterback. There's no QB competition or new transfer learning the ropes. Carr and his teammates have a year of experience together, which changes everything.
Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock noted, "It makes the process a lot easier. We’re not breaking someone in for the first time in a while."
With continuity comes expectation. Carr doesn't need to prove he can run the offense; he needs to elevate it, starting with his leadership.
There’s still room for growth, particularly in red-zone decision-making. Carr identified it as a key area for improvement.
"We were efficient, but some decisions in the red zone led to turnovers," he admitted. "Eliminating those could change our results significantly."
This awareness is part of Carr's maturation. He’s not looking for drastic changes, just the tweaks that can transform a good offense into a great one.
Carr's impact will extend beyond his own play. His leadership will shape the entire quarterback room, influence the integration of new receivers, and help the team handle adversity-something that's been a focus under coach Marcus Freeman.
Carr has proven he can be Notre Dame's starting quarterback. Now, he's tasked with leading the team forward, a challenge that will define the offense's potential in 2026.