BREAKING: CJ Carr Named Starting Quarterback for Notre Dame

Liam Gaudet
16 minutes ago
2 min read

In a tightly contested battle that has sparked numerous debates over the course of the offseason, we finally have an answer as to who will start at quarterback for the Fighting Irish on August 31st.

Art by The Irish Tribune

CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey went toe-to-toe throughout the summer, with very little separation and next to no indication as to who would win the job up until today. Carr, a former 5-star recruit by way of Saline, Michigan, was the perceived favorite early in the offseason before Minchey seemed to make up ground steadily. In the end, it would be the arm talent of Carr that would win out in one of the most tightly contested QB battles in recent memory at Notre Dame.

Despite not seeing action last season, Carr stood out in the previous two Blue-Gold games for Notre Dame, showcasing his immaculate touch and ability to push the ball downfield - something the Irish have been lacking in recent years at the position. Most notably, Carr commanded an impressive stat line in this year's installment of the Blue-Gold game, which included 170 yards and two touchdowns.

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The decision to start Carr over Minchey was likely not an easy one for the coaching staff, as each quarterback brings something unique to the table. With Carr, the arm talent is undeniable, and has been since his days at Saline - which is undoubtedly the main reason for his recruiting pedigree. The main drawback, however, has been the turnover rate. From the limited action we've seen, Carr can occasionally force a few passes, which have led to interceptions. If he can reel it in a bit, Notre Dame will be in a great position to make it back to the CFP. Kenny Minchey, on the other hand, has shown his willingness to be a dual-threat QB, something that the Irish may not have foreseen when recruiting him. This development in Minchey's game certainly helped to close the gap between the two, and with Mike Denbrock's familiarity with and comfort level with QBs who can use their legs, it probably wouldn't be surprising if packages are mixed in for Minchey later in the season.

In the end, a decision had to be made before the Irish take the field at Hard Rock Stadium in two weeks. With Carr being named the starter, Notre Dame's passing game should receive a long-awaited boost. And with a receiver room featuring plenty of experienced veterans, along with an offensive line that has all the makings of a Moore Award finalist, Carr is certainly in a position to succeed.