For the first time in Marcus Freeman’s tenure, Notre Dame enters the offseason with something it hasn’t had in years: continuity under center. And that’s no small thing. After a promising 2025 campaign, redshirt sophomore CJ Carr is back at quarterback - the first returning starter at the position since 2020 - and he’s bringing with him a mix of production, poise, and serious upside heading into 2026.
Carr’s first full season as the Irish starter gave fans plenty to be excited about. He threw for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns, and added three more scores on the ground.
But beyond the raw numbers, it was how he played that stood out. His first career touchdown?
A no-look dart to fellow redshirt freshman Micah Gilbert - the kind of play that turns heads and signals a quarterback with confidence and flair.
At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, Carr showed off a live arm and the ability to stretch the field. He connected on 27 passes of 20+ yards and threw eight touchdowns on deep balls alone.
But he wasn’t just a big-play hunter - Carr was efficient in the short and intermediate game too, completing 74.6% of his passes in those ranges. That balance - the ability to hit the home run while also keeping the chains moving - is what makes his ceiling so intriguing heading into next season.
He won’t be doing it alone, either. Carr is expected to have two of his top targets back in 2026: Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse.
Faison, a breakout star in 2025, proved to be a reliable and dynamic option in the slot. The 5-foot-10, 183-pound receiver led the team in receptions (49), receiving yards (640), and touchdowns (4), turning 36 of those catches into first downs.
He was targeted 63 times and dropped just two passes all season, according to Pro Football Focus. That kind of efficiency and consistency is a quarterback’s best friend.
Then there’s Greathouse - a name Irish fans have been waiting to see pop. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound wideout from Texas was limited most of the season due to a hamstring injury, finishing with just four catches for 73 yards.
But if healthy, he’s expected to take on a much bigger role, especially with Malachi Fields moving on. Greathouse flashed his potential in the past, and 2026 could be the year he finally puts it all together.
Up front, Notre Dame’s offensive line is shaping up to be one of the best in the country - again. That’s become the expectation in South Bend, where “O-Line U” isn’t just a nickname, it’s a standard.
The Irish allowed just 12 sacks in 12 games last season, finishing 11th nationally in that category. And the core of that unit is coming back.
Left tackle Anthonie Knapp is expected to return, anchoring the blind side. Guerby Lambert is back at right guard, while Billy Schrauth and Charles Jagusah are also in the mix.
That’s a veteran group with size, experience, and the kind of cohesion that can set the tone for the entire offense. The pieces are there - the question now is how offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock will configure them to maximize their impact.
Beyond the known commodities, there’s a lot of untapped potential elsewhere on this roster. The running back room, the tight ends, and the rest of the receiver corps are full of talent - but much of it is unproven.
That’s both a challenge and an opportunity. Denbrock won’t be short on options, and with Carr’s steady hand at quarterback, there’s a real chance for this offense to evolve into something special.
Bottom line: Notre Dame heads into 2026 with a rare mix of stability and upside on offense. A returning quarterback.
Proven playmakers. A seasoned offensive line.
It’s the kind of foundation that championship-caliber teams are built on. Now it’s about development, health, and execution.
If all three align, the Irish could be one of the most dangerous offenses in the country next fall.