Notre Dame QB CJ Carr is off to a record-setting start, and Marcus Freeman’s rare praise hints at a season that could shift the Irish’s 2025 outlook.
Marcus Freeman’s stunning CJ Carr praise could define Notre Dame’s 2025 season originally appeared on The Sporting News
Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr began this fall as a player who narrowly edged out his competition for the starting role. Four games into the season, the second-year signal caller has left little doubt about why head coach Marcus Freeman trusted him.
Carr has already delivered a record-setting performance and earned high praise from his coach, who believes his maturity and competitive edge are uncommon for a player so young.
As the Fighting Irish look to build momentum, Carr’s emergence could reshape their 2025 campaign in ways few expected.
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Carr’s breakout puts him in rare company
Freeman did not hide his admiration when discussing Carr on Monday.
“It’s rare to be a second-year college football player playing in your fifth [career] game and performing at a level he’s performing at,” Freeman said. “It’s rare. But I think CJ Carr is rare.”
That performance included Carr’s first 300-yard outing in Notre Dame’s 56-13 rout of Arkansas. He threw for 354 yards and four touchdowns while completing 22 of 30 passes.
His 294 passing yards before halftime marked the third-highest total in program history, and the four touchdowns ranked second in a single game. The scoring output also tied him for the second-most by a true freshman or redshirt freshman in school history.
Carr’s totals through four games stand at 1,091 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and only two interceptions. His efficiency has propelled him to second nationally in total QBR.
Freeman credited Carr’s mindset as a difference-maker.
“He is ... a competitive, selfless individual,” Freeman said. “Whatever we got to do to win … he hates to lose, and then he’s mature in the way he prepares.”
Carr’s rise comes after he battled Kenny Minchey during spring and preseason practices. While Minchey impressed, Freeman chose Carr, who saw only one appearance without a pass attempt last fall. The grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, he has quickly validated that decision.
Category: General Sports
