The Notre Dame football team has now moved from choosing the starting quarterback to getting the starting quarterback ready for the season opener against Miami. While some analysts are surprised that CJ Carr got the call when he did, Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer did some checking and believe they know how the redshirt freshman edged out Kenny Minchey.
The surprise came because just two days earlier, head coach Marcus Freeman told everyone he didn't know when he was picking the starter. Then Notre Dame announced Carr after many thought Minchey had surged into the lead. But it turns out that the younger QB has the tools and personality that convinced the coaching staff he was the man after all. Even if the fight really was 50/50.
From uncertainty to clarity, Notre Dame football picks its starter
"It could have gone either way," one source reportedly said of the Notre Dame quarterback competition. "I think it was 50-50 where guys think it could have went either way where some guys expected one guy and some the other," another source said.
Zenitz and Hummer added that there were times in camp where Fighting Irish sources in and around the program felt like Minchey had a legitimate advantage in the competition. They pointed to the consistency of Minchey's play and that Carr can occasionally be aggressive with the football, which can lead to turnovers. The coaching staff specifically mentioned those turnovers more than once.
However, those who were present at practice and around the program are all in agreement that Carr has the tools to be a starter for a big-time program in college football.
"He has that big-play ability," one source reportedly told the analysts. "Football's in his blood," another said. "He's got the moxie. He's got the leadership. He's got that 'it' factor to play that position. Now, he's just got to go do it."
The season is almost here, and CJ Carr will be able to show he's got everything these sources say he has. If he does, the Notre Dame football team could be in for a very special season. If his proclivity for mistakes rears its head, things could go sideways in a hurry.