Expectations for the 2025 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team will be sky high after the program came within one win of a national title in 2024. This time around, there will be a new signal-caller under center, with CJ Carr assuming QB1 duties.
Carr was named Notre Dame's starter on Aug. 19, and the redshirt freshman steps into the role after spending last season as Riley Leonard's understudy. This is a shift for the Fighting Irish, as Carr's appointment breaks a streak of two consecutive graduate seniors serving as the program's Week 1 starter.
He may be fresh on the scene as a starter, but Carr is very familiar with the college football landscape. Get to know Notre Dame's new starter, and learn more about the rich football history in his background.
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Who is CJ Carr?
Carr is a redshirt freshman quarterback at Notre Dame.
He hails from Saline, Mich., and was the 48th-ranked prospect in the high school class of 2024, per 247Sports. Carr chose Notre Dame over scholarship offers from Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, and Penn State, among other notable programs.
Carr took the field for his collegiate debut during Notre Dame's blowout of Purdue in Week 3 of the 2024 season. While it was his college debut, Carr did not register a stat during the 59-point win.
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CJ Carr family
Carr comes from one of Michigan football's royal families.
CJ's paternal grandfather, Lloyd, is a Hall of Fame head coach who led the Wolverines for 13 seasons, including the national championship season in 1997. He also led Michigan to five Big Ten championships.
CJ's maternal grandfather, Tom Curtis, played varsity football at Michigan from 1967-69. Curtis was a two-time All-Big Ten selection at safety and a consensus All-American in 1969. He holds the school record for interceptions with 25 and is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
CJ's father, Jason, played football at Michigan from 1992-95. He never started bu appeared in 20 games over four seasons, including 11 appearances during his sophomore campaign.
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CJ Carr age
Carr is 20 years old. He was born on May 26, 2005.