While he hasn't been named the starter yet, CJ Carr is expected to be the winner of the Notre Dame football team's quarterback battle. That's a big enough assumption on his own. That one analyst thinks Carr will be a Heisman finalist in his first season as a starter is an even bigger and more exciting one.
Carr has been exiting those keeping a close eye on Notre Dame for a while now. Some even thought he might compete for a starting spot in his true-freshman season. And then, Riley Leonard entered the picture, and it was clear he would use 2024 to grow and develop. On3 analysts Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman believe he could explode on the scene.
CJ Carr named Heisman dark horse by On3 analysts ahead of first season as Notre Dame football's starter
The two analysts discussed their dark horse choices for Heisman contenders in the 2025 season, and Staples is convinced that if the Notre Dame football quarterback doesn't win the Heisman outright, he'll at least be a finalist.
"So I've got CJ Carr from Notre Dame," Staples said as they began to discuss dark horse Heisman candidates. "Who every time some quarterback leaves. Like when Nico (Iamaleava) left, Jake Ratzlaff leaving. Like there's rumors about, oh, he's going to go to Notre Dame. And you check into them and they're like, no. We got CJ Carr."
The On3 analyst then made the case for why the supporting cast will play a big part in Carr's success and why he might be one of the best players in the country in 2025.
"Potentially the best offensive line in the country. Jeremiah loves this team ... these guys could be a top four seed in the playoffs. If he puts up good numbers, he's going to be in New York."
"Be in New York" means that Carr would indeed be one of the Heisman finalists. And Staples' argument was bolstered by Wasserman, who pointed out Jaden Greathouse is expected to have a breakout 2025. There's also transfer wide receivers Will Pauling and Malachi Fields. Then there are the other backs that make up the room behind Love.
While it feels like a massive stretch to say that CJ Carr could represent the Notre Dame football team at the Heisman awards, the more the talent on the Irish is pointed out, the more realistic it sounds.