CJ Carr Returns as Notre Dame’s Offensive Cornerstone - and a Heisman Favorite
For the first time since 2020, Notre Dame enters a season with a returning starting quarterback. And not just any returner - CJ Carr is back in South Bend after a record-breaking redshirt freshman campaign that has vaulted him into the thick of the Heisman Trophy conversation. The Irish haven’t had this kind of stability under center in a while, and with a national title push on the table, Carr’s development from promising young passer to offensive leader is front and center.
Let’s break down the quarterback room heading into 2026 - what’s changed, what’s coming, and why all eyes are on Carr to take Notre Dame to the next level.
Projected QB Depth Chart
Starter: CJ Carr
Key Backup: Blake Hebert
Freshmen to Watch: Noah Grubbs, Teddy Jarrard
Carr’s Breakout Year Sets the Stage
CJ Carr didn’t just have a good first season - he had a historic one. The Michigan native posted a 168.06 passer efficiency rating, the highest in Notre Dame history, breaking a mark that had stood since 1949.
He completed 66.6% of his passes for 2,741 yards, averaging 9.4 yards per attempt and 14.1 yards per completion. With 24 touchdowns to just six interceptions, Carr wasn’t just efficient - he was explosive.
Nationally, he ranked third in yards per attempt and fifth in passer rating. Those are not numbers you typically see from a redshirt freshman. And now, heading into Year 2, the expectations are sky-high - and rightfully so.
With key playmakers like Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price, and Malachi Fields off to the NFL, Carr becomes the centerpiece of the Irish offense. The supporting cast will look different, but the offensive identity will revolve around Carr’s arm, poise, and continued growth. He’s not just a returning starter - he’s the face of the program and a preseason Heisman co-favorite alongside Texas quarterback Arch Manning.
If Notre Dame is going to make a legitimate run at a national championship in 2026, it starts - and possibly ends - with Carr.
Hebert Becomes the Key Backup
Behind Carr, the quarterback room saw some shakeup this offseason. Kenny Minchey transferred to Kentucky, where he’s expected to compete for the starting job.
Anthony Rezac also departed, landing at South Dakota State. That leaves redshirt freshman Blake Hebert as the most experienced backup in the room - though “experienced” is relative.
Hebert has the physical tools - size, arm strength, mobility - but he came to Notre Dame as a raw prospect. The next few months will be critical for him to sharpen his mechanics, deepen his command of the playbook, and show he’s capable of stepping in if needed. With Carr carrying such a heavy workload, the Irish can’t afford to have uncertainty behind him.
Hebert’s development isn’t just about depth - it’s about the future. If he can take a step forward this spring and summer, he can solidify himself as the heir apparent. But the competition is coming.
Freshmen Grubbs and Jarrard Bring Talent - and Competition
Enter Noah Grubbs and Teddy Jarrard, two talented freshmen who bring both upside and intrigue to the QB room.
Grubbs is already on campus, fresh off a monster senior year at Lake Mary (FL), where he led his team to a state championship and earned Mr. Football honors in the state.
He threw for 3,250 yards and accounted for 47 total touchdowns - 21 of them in the playoffs alone. He’s polished, confident, and ready to compete from day one.
Jarrard, who reclassified to join the 2026 class, is a bit more of a long-term project, but the tools are undeniable. He passed for 2,300 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior at North Cobb (GA), and he brings a big-time arm with a high ceiling. He’ll arrive this summer, and while he may need time to develop, the raw talent puts him firmly in the mix.
The battle for the No. 2 spot behind Carr will be one to watch. Hebert has the edge in experience, but Grubbs and Jarrard are here to push him - and possibly leapfrog him - if he doesn’t take the next step.
Bottom Line
Notre Dame’s quarterback room in 2026 is headlined by a rising star who already owns a piece of program history and has his eyes on the Heisman. But the story doesn’t end with CJ Carr. The development of Blake Hebert and the arrival of two highly touted freshmen set up a fascinating dynamic behind the starter.
For now, though, this is Carr’s show. And if he builds on what he did last season, Notre Dame might just have the quarterback to lead them all the way.