As a freshman, Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr was able to beat out fellow QB Kenny Minchey for the starting role before the 2025 football season. Carr then went on to have a fantastic freshman season that should have resulted in Notre Dame being in the College Football Playoff, but the selection committee thought differently.
Carr is now gearing up for his second season under center, and things are going to look a little different for him. He won't have Jeremiyah Love or Jadarian Price behind him to hand the ball off to, or Malachi Field to throw the ball to. With the run game starting over in South Bend, Carr will be depended on more to throw the ball, and he certainly has some great receivers in his arsenal.
Freshman wide receiver Kaydon Finely is one of those receivers, and it seems like he is already settling in South Bend nicely. Just like for any freshman beginning their college career, Finely is still adjusting to life as a college football player, but his time with Carr has certainly made life easier.
"Catching the ball from CJ Carr, it's like a dream," Finley said. "You have an amazing top-tier quarterback throwing you the ball; you get to learn from him."
It's safe to say Notre Dame WR Kaydon Finley is excited to work with CJ Carr.
— Matt Freeman (@mattfreeman05_) February 25, 2026
"Catching the ball from CJ Carr, it's like a dream." pic.twitter.com/YLnBkNcSzc
WR Kaydon Finely is already creating an amazing relationship with QB CJ Carr
Adjusting from life in high school to life in college is not easy, especially as a student-athlete, and CJ Carr knows that feeling well. Finely is going through that transition right now, and it seems like Carr has been a big help in it all.
Creating that relationship with his wide receivers is going to be huge for Carr next season as they will be able to trust each other on the field. Finley talked about how Carr is there to watch film with, talk with, and just learn from altogether, which is amazing for Carr as a leader.