Notre Dame football: What does QB CJ Carr bring to the Irish?
By Carlee North
The Notre Dame football program got an elite commitment on Thursday night, as CJ Carr announced his intention to head to South Bend.
Notre Dame football has landed an elite 2024 quarterback commit out of Michigan in CJ Carr Thursday night. If the name sounds familiar it probably is to most college football fans. CJ is the grandson of former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr.
His father also was a quarterback for the Wolverines. Clearly, CJ wants to make his own path after making his announcement official that he’s chosen big-time rival in Notre Dame football over the hometown legacy. Michigan was by far the team everyone expected Carr to pick but Notre Dame came in and blew him away ever since offensive coordinator Tommy Rees offered him back in the summer of 2021.
Carr was just on campus last weekend competing at Irish Invasion as well to solidify his commitment. It’s the place he wanted to create his own legacy and Tommy Rees and head coach Marcus Freeman were just another major reason for that.
Aside from the historic aspect of the Irish, along with the academic excellence Notre Dame expects from its student-athletes, the relationships he’s built with the staff are second to none, especially his now-QB coach Tommy Rees, and Rees sure got his guy.
At the moment, Carr holds 20 offers from the likes of Michigan, Alabama, Georgia, and Wisconsin among many others.
What Carr brings to the Notre Dame football program
The 6’3 190-pound junior All-American quarterback is far and away beyond mature for his age. He has that quarterback presence around him that makes everyone better and he goes about it at such a high level.
Aside from his natural ability to lead, he’s an extremely polished passer. His accuracy never wavers, very quick and smooth with his release, and puts the ball where it needs to be on any type of angle he’s at in the pocket or when he’s on the move.
Does he run a 4.4? No. But he has enough athletic ability to maneuver inside the pocket and get to the right spot, while also having the ability to burst into the open field and pick up a ton of yards with his legs. I’d say he’s definitely a pocket passer but with a ton of sneaky quickness and athleticism.
CJ Carr is only going to continue getting better with his footwork and building mass around his already solid frame for being a Junior in high school. I absolutely expect him to not only be one of the top quarterbacks but also one of the top-ranked players in the entire class when it’s all said and done.
Tommy Rees got this one done and Freeman was there to finish it off with the final touches. I can’t state how important it is to get a guy that actually wants to be committed early and build a class around his leadership. It’s hard to find in today’s game and age but it’s honestly so refreshing.
Carr is going to be a game-changer for Notre Dame football and the state of the program, if the state of the program isn’t already on that track with Marcus Freeman.
With his commitment made public on Thursday night the 2024 class now holds three pledges, with CJ Carr joining 4-star defensive lineman Brandon Davis-Swain and Owen Wafle. Notre Dame now holds the number 1 class for 2023 and is now the number 2 recruiting class in 2024 after CJs commitment.
It’s special seeing what this staff is doing in recruiting because a lot of people have said it can’t be done at a school like Notre Dame, namely a former head coach in South Bend, but regardless I’m sure all Irish fans can’t wait to see the product on the field over the next several years start to come together.
What an outstanding job by the staff to land an almost sure fire “Michigan man” that live less than 30 miles from Ann Arbor’s campus and turn him into a Notre Dame man who’s already completely embraced it.