The 2025 college football season is officially in the books, and just like that, the sport has already turned the page to 2026. While the Hoosiers and Indiana Nation celebrate a well-earned national championship, the rest of college football is firmly focused on what comes next. With early Top 25 rankings, award predictions, and offseason buzz beginning to circulate, attention has quickly shifted to the players poised to define the upcoming season.
Why is CJ Carr Emerging as a Legitimate 2026 Heisman Contender?
One name that continues to surface among early Heisman Trophy conversations is Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr.
After a strong redshirt freshman campaign, Carr has been identified as one of college football’s premier breakout candidates for 2026. PFSN analyst Alec Elijah recently highlighted Carr as a player to watch, noting:
“Year two will bring increased responsibility. With running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price off to the NFL Draft, Carr is expected to shoulder a larger share of the offensive workload and push the ball downfield more frequently.”
That assessment hits at the core of Notre Dame’s offensive transition. Carr now enters his third year with the program and second season as the starter, a pivotal stage for any quarterback. With another offseason of development and comfort within the system, Carr will not only be asked to do more, but he may have no choice if Notre Dame wants to remain the offensive force it was in 2025.
The departure of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, widely considered the best running back duo in college football last season, leaves a massive production void. Love alone was a projected top-15 NFL Draft pick, ranked as RB1 on PFSN’s 2026 consensus big board. He also finished with a 92.4 PFSN’s CFB RB Impact Grade, fourth among all backs, and ranked third nationally in rushing touchdowns (18). That level of output is not easily replaced.
Still, the numbers suggest Carr is more than capable of rising to the challenge.
Notre Dame Will Need Carr to Take the Next Step
Carr posted a PFSN CFB QB Impact Grade of 85.9, ranking just behind Oregon’s Dante Moore and placing 23rd among all quarterbacks nationally. While Notre Dame leaned on a run-heavy, clock-control approach in 2025, Carr ranked 79th in pass attempts; his efficiency told a different story. Carr averaged an impressive 9.1 net yards per attempt, seventh-best in the country, showcasing his ability to consistently generate explosive plays downfield.
His 24-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio further underscores his poise and decision-making, particularly for a quarterback with limited starting experience. Carr played the role of game manager when asked, but the metrics reveal a passer with far more upside than the box scores often suggested.
With so much offensive production departing, Notre Dame may be forced to open things up in 2026, and that could play directly into Carr’s strengths. The arrow is firmly pointing up for both Carr and the Fighting Irish. If Notre Dame leans more heavily on its quarterback, college football fans could see a more aggressive, pass-oriented offense led by a player who already flashes NFL-level traits.
As early Heisman watch lists continue to take shape, C.J. Carr’s name belongs in the conversation. With increased responsibility, a stronger supporting cast through the air, and a clear opportunity to lead, 2026 could be the season Carr goes from promising young starter to national star.
