The newly hired head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, Kyle Whittingham, has spoken highly of the three-star prospect and quarterback Tommy Carr. The Michigan native, Carr, is a legacy recruit for the maize and blue. 

Carr impressed everyone with his spring game showcase and even eclipsed the starting quarterback's performance, Bryce Underwood. Carr went 21-for-30 passing for 143 yards and also had 59 rushing yards on April 18, 2026. 

“I’m in the facility at 10 at night, and I walk by the quarterback room, and there’s Tommy Carr watching film all by himself in the film room," said Whittingham. "And that’s really what you want to see in a quarterback. And he’s a leader by nature and by virtue of the position.”

However, Whittingham has confirmed that sophomore quarterback Underwood will remain QB1 entering the 2026 college football season. 

Whittingham further added, “Tommy has really made strides and just really has a great pocket presence and escapability. He can extend plays keeps his eyes downfield. All the things that you look for in a big-time quarterback, I believe Tommy possesses.”

Carr comes from Michigan royalty. His grandfather, Lloyd Carr, was part of the coaching staff from 1980 to 2007, including being head coach from 1995 to 2007.

In the 1997 season, they won the National Championship but the win was split between Michigan Wolverines and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. 

Tommy Carr’s father, Jason, also played as a quarterback for the maize and blue from 1992 to 1995. Now, Tommy Carr will enter into his family’s footsteps and don the Michigan Wolverines uniform. 

This situation is oddly familiar to another coach-quarterback relationship at the University of Michigan. 

A Similar Relationship Shared Between JJ McCarthy and Jim Harbaugh

Before Tommy Carr and Kyle Whittingham, another coach praised his quarterback the same way. Before Jim Harbaugh accepted a job in the NFL, he was at the helm at Ann Arbor and so was his star QB JJ McCarthy. 

“Talking about guys that have it, the it factor. He kind of wows me at walkthrough, just the way he bounces around and the enthusiasm he has for playing. Like a kid in a candy store, it’s fun to be around,” Harbaugh said. 

The pair saw quite the success, winning the 2023 National Championship. McCarthy had a record of 27-1 as a starter at the University of Michigan. In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected McCarthy as their 10th overall pick. 

Carr is expected to compete for the starting role behind Underwood in the 2026 season but Carr is soon to start some games. Will they be able to replicate similar success with Michigan in the upcoming season? 

Read more at the Michigan Football Community

Written by

Samvruth Raj