Count first-year BYU defensive coordinator Brady Poppinga among the biggest CJ Carr fans. Heading into his team’s showdown this weekend against Notre Dame, Poppinga praised Carr while talking about what he thinks he needs to do to slow down the quarterback’s passing attack.
Poppinga spoke to the media Wednesday after the Cougars’ latest practice and said the only way to stop Carr is to confuse him before the snap.
“I think he's a rhythmic quarterback where he can get the ball out on time, and he knows exactly where to throw the ball if you show him what coverage you're in,” Poppinga said of Carr. “… So we've got to do a good job of making sure pre-snap-wise, we're doing some things to hopefully confuse him and have him throw into something that he's not expecting.”
BYU’s defense has confused plenty of offenses over the last few years. Poppinga didn’t lead the Cougars’ defense last year, but it was one of the country's best units. This year, they may be even better.
BYU hopes disguised coverages can disrupt CJ Carr and Notre Dame football passing attack
Poppinga’s unit has allowed more than 20 points only once this season, and Colorado State scored 16 of its 23 points after BYU already held a 38-7 lead in the fourth quarter. Only Arizona has scored more than 10 points in a game against BYU this season so far. That may be why Poppinga compared Carr to Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita when evaluating the Notre Dame QB1:
“As far as a comp of somebody that we've played before, Fafita is a different type of player. He gets out of the pocket a little bit more, makes plays with his feet, where this guy is more like a true NFL-style quarterback. But he's athletic enough to get out of the pocket and make plays too as well. So, yeah, I just think he's got a very strong arm, very smart.”
Poppinga added that when Carr strides to the line, he usually knows where he wants to go with the ball before the snap. That’s where BYU's attempts to confuse him with different looks come into play. The Cougars know that if they just line up, pin their ears back, and rush the quarterback, things won’t go well.
One of Poppinga’s own students, Jake Clifton talked on Wednesday after practice about how good Carr, as well as the Notre Dame offensive line, is. Clifton added that BYU will need consistent physicality to get to Carr and get in his head.
All of this is easier said than done. Carr, despite being in just his second year as a starting quarterback for the Fighting Irish, has impressed onlookers with his veteran presence and decision-making. By every metric, Carr’s 2026 campaign is better than last year’s.
Carr has completed 70% of his passes for 1,378 yards, 16 touchdowns, and just 1 interception. He’s also been sacked just twice all year.
If Poppinga can find a way for BYU to confuse CJ Carr, it should be evident quickly. If he can’t, Notre Dame will make that obvious quickly, too.
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