Marcus Freeman handed CJ Carr the reins of Notre Dame’s offense following a fierce preseason competition, and the move ultimately proved to be the right one. Carr delivered one of the most phenomenal debuts ever by a first-year starter in program history.
The Irish also enjoyed another 10-win season and climbed to No. 4 in the PFSN College Football Playoff rankings. Notre Dame ultimately fell short of a playoff berth, but Carr’s upside offers plenty of optimism heading into next season.
CJ Carr Explains the Reality of Backing Up Riley Leonard
Carr redshirted during the 2024 season and operated as Riley Leonard’s backup at Notre Dame. The Indianapolis Colts selected Leonard in April’s NFL Draft. Still, his impact continues to resonate as Carr continues to lead the Irish.
During an appearance on Notre Dame wide receiver Cam Williams’ “The Irish Scoop” podcast, Carr opened up about what it was like learning behind Leonard last season.
“Yeah, I hated sitting behind somebody, but if it was anyone, it was great to sit behind Riley and learn from him,” Carr said. “We started off 1-0, beating Texas A&M. Everyone’s saying Notre Dame’s the best team in the country, and then you get beat by NIU week two. So you go from the top of the top to the bottom.
“The process never changed for Riley. It was, I’m going to come in, and no matter what the media, no matter what my teammates, no matter what anyone is saying, I’m going to put my head down and work. Whatever the coaches are asking me to do, that’s what I’m going to do to the best of my ability. So I’ve kind of taken those lessons from him. And he’s affected Notre Dame even when he’s gone. It’s better because Riley was here.”
Before being named Notre Dame’s starting quarterback for 2025, Carr also discussed the most important lesson he picked up from Leonard.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned from Sam [Hartman] and Riley, especially – I was around him a lot more than I was Sam – is just the way he carries himself, the way he leads, the way he treats his teammates is second to none,” Carr said in August. “I haven’t been around too many people that are just that invested in the team.”
Carr had limited chances to showcase those leadership traits in 2024, as he appeared in just one game and didn’t attempt a pass. However, he emerged as one of college football’s standout quarterbacks this season.
Carr spent much of the year ranked inside the “Heisman Top 10” and finished with a 66.6% completion rate, 2,741 passing yards, and 24 touchdowns. Those 24 scores are tied for the most by a Notre Dame quarterback through his first 12 starts since 1966.
Carr also threw at least one touchdown pass in each of his first 12 starts, becoming the first Irish quarterback to do so since Everett Golson (2012-14). His 85.0 Pro Football Focus offensive grade marked the best single-season performance by a Notre Dame QB who started most of the team’s games since 2014.
ESPN has already listed Carr as a way-too-early candidate for the 2026 Heisman Trophy. He was also named one of five finalists for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award.
