CJ Carr is Notre Dame's starting quarterback heading into 2026. His grandfather, Lloyd Carr, coached Michigan for 13 seasons and won the 1997 national championship. His father, Jason, also played quarterback for the Wolverines.

The assumption was always that CJ would end up in Ann Arbor. Recently, CJ sat down with Rich Eisen and explained why that never happened. It came down to one simple thing. Michigan did not put in the work.

"Throughout the recruiting process, Michigan, they didn't really recruit me," Carr said on The Rich Eisen Show. "From my perspective, at least, it felt like they thought I was just going to go to Michigan because of my family, which is understandable."

That is a pointed observation from someone who grew up going to Michigan games and had family connections going back decades. Michigan had the relationship built in. They just didn't use it.

"Tommy Rees came in with the approach that, until I say no to him, he's going to recruit me as hard as he can," Carr said on The Rich Eisen Show. "He's going to be in the school and show Notre Dame's love and want for me. That meant a lot to me throughout the process."

Former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees took a completely different approach. He showed up to Saline High School, called regularly, and made it clear he wanted Carr regardless of what other schools did.

Alabama got Rees in 2023, but Carr's commitment was already locked in by then. He didn't waver, didn't flip, just stuck to his word and showed up in South Bend.

Carr became Notre Dame's starting QB in 2025. And as part of next year's draft class, this season is the real test of where Carr's ceiling sits before the 2027 NFL Draft.

What CJ Carr’s 2026 season could mean for his legacy

Carr's already being talked about as a real Heisman contender, heading into 2026. A handful of analysts and sportsbooks have him sitting among the top names nationally.

When he announced his commitment live, he put it simply.

"Michigan will always hold a special place in my heart — we're a Michigan family," Carr told CBS Sports in 2022. "But I'd like to commit to Notre Dame."

In the end, Carr stood by his decision. But his journey at Notre Dame wasn't all smooth sailing. An elbow injury cost Carr most of 2024. He took the redshirt year instead.

But the next year told a different story. Carr started all 12 games, and the numbers back up how good that season was. 2,741 passing yards, a 66.6 completion percentage, 24 touchdowns, and only 6 picks. Notre Dame closed the year 10-2.

Notre Dame is building around him as the centerpiece. Marcus Freeman has kept the offensive staff stable, and Carr has a full year of starting experience behind him now.

According to early 2027 mock drafts, Carr is expected to be a first-round or early second-round pick. But his 2026 season is what will shape his pro football journey.

Do you think CJ Carr will win the Heisman and lead Notre Dame to a national title in 2026? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Farheen Fathima

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit