There is no doubt that CJ Carr will be Notre Dame’s starting quarterback until he leaves South Bend for the NFL. Can we say the same about Michigan’s Bryce Underwood? Probably not, even if his head coach reiterated that he’s “the guy.” Even though Kyle Whittingham says Underwood’s job isn’t in jeopardy, CJ’s little brother, Tommy Carr, might have seen the door open a crack on Monday.
Perhaps the biggest sign yet that Carr is still impressing Michigan coaches is that, when Whittingham was asked if Underwood was still QB1, he brought up the younger Carr unbidden.
“[Offensive Coordinator] Jason [Beck] will call plays, and Bryce is our guy, and we'll move forward,” Whittingham said before moving on to Carr. “Tommy did get a lot of good reps last week, which he would typically get in a bye week anyway. He'll get a good set of three or four on the way. So we've gotten a lot of work done, not because of anything. It was a great opportunity to get the second-team guys' work across the field.”
Unlike his older brother at Notre Dame, Tommy Carr was never really given a chance to win the starting job. When he came to Michigan this spring, he already knew that Underwood was anointed the starter. Struggles since the start of the season have led more than a few analysts to wonder whether there should have been real competition after all.
Kyle Whittingham leaves door open for Tommy Carr snaps as Bryce Underwood remains Michigan QB1
While Whittingham said Carr got some work in practice, he wasn’t ready to commit to the young gunslinger in a live game. On the other hand, the crack in the door was the Wolverines’ coach's refusal to give Underwood all the snaps.
In fact, when the coach was asked about getting Carr into a game, his answer made it sound like he could at least see some trick plays or a chance to try out the offense if the moment is right.
“To be determined,” Whittingham said. He sure looks good in practice, like he has throughout all spring and fall camp. His small, tiny sample size that he had in the game is positive.”
“But right now, like I said, Bryce is our guy. If we think giving Tommy a series or two helps our chance to win, then we'll see that.”
Tommy Carr’s tiny sample size has at least been very good. So far this year, his only action was in garbage time against UTEP. He completed both pass attempts for 23 yards and a touchdown. He also carried the ball twice for 18 yards.
Both Tommy and CJ are the grandsons of former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr. That is, of course, one reason it was such a fun surprise that CJ ended up at Notre Dame. Meanwhile, Tommy is edging ever closer to living out one heck of a family legacy.
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