Notre Dame’s quarterback competition will be followed not only by Irish fans but will become a national story the longer it goes on.
Head coach Marcus Freeman stated he isn’t putting a timeline on a decision, which likely indicates a battle going into fall camp.
It would benefit the program to name a starter sooner rather than later, but for this group, Steve Angeli, Kenny Minchey and CJ Carr need the competition to grow, so it’s on the players to block out the outside noise.
“Every day, you just come in here and try to get better than you were yesterday,” said Carr. “That’s the mindset I’ve had for a few years now.”
Where is Carr better than a year ago when he entered the program as an early enrollee? It starts with simply knowing the playbook and what to expect from the other side of the ball.
“I think it's just decision-making and understanding the defense, coming in here with a complex defense, complex offense,” stated Carr. “It's a lot for a freshman. I thought I handled it well that first year, but I'm looking forward to taking huge, huge jumps this year and being ready to play.”
Mental development is expected from year one to year two. Carr, a film junkie, can see it on the film when he turns on last year’s spring practice.
“I watched some of those early spring practices and I was all over the place,” laughed Carr. “I was a mess. It’s normal with a new offense and a really good defense. My mind was spinning fast. Today was a great example. I felt I came out and ran the offense. I knew what I needed to do. I knew where the protection was supposed to be and had a really good day.”
Quarterback coach Gino Guidugli has also been impressed with Carr’s ability to retain knowledge, and it appears his redshirt freshman quarterback is ahead of the curve, which bodes well for the his future.
“Going into this spring, the second year in the offense, CJ has total command of the offense,” stated Guidugli. “He understands the run game, pass game, protections and schemes inside and out. It’s about him going out and actually executing them.
“He’s to the point where the offense is kind of behind him. Now, he has the ability to focus on the defense. What am I looking at, pre-snap? What adjustments do I need to make? It’s allowing him to play with great anticipation. That’s the continued growth I want to see throughout the spring. That kid is going to prepare every day. He’s going to know the looks and I’m anxious to see how that continues to develop in the spring.”
Carr injured his elbow in practice last fall and missed several weeks of practice. The injury didn’t require surgery, but it did require an extensive 10-to-12 week rehab program where Carr had to show some patience.
“It was just a super slow, intentional process that required very, very detailed and specific things that he had to accomplish,” Notre Dame head athletic trainer Rob Hunt said. “There was a period of rest. There was a period of light work and training. Then went into a throwing program.”
The Michigan native returned to regular action late in the season, and a few months later, Carr noticed his arm not only felt better but it’s also stronger.
“It feels better than it did before,” Carr explained. “I didn’t realize it until I started getting into some balls, but I can throw it further than I could before. I didn’t want to get injured, but it’s a blessing in disguise.”
Carr’s injury also allowed him to focus on some physical development that he likely wouldn’t have had if he had been healthy.
The 6-foot-3, 209-pounder has filled out with the help of Loren Landow and Alexa Appleman after gaining some bad weight last spring.
“I feel like I had a weird progression,” stated Carr. “Coming out of high school, I knew I was skinny, and then I put on some weight in the spring of last year, and I was like, 'I'm fat now,' but we've gotten to a great place where I've added muscle for my first kind of report date and not gained any fat from it.”
With more muscle, Carr also feels lighter on his feet. Is he going to be Riley Leonard running the rock? Probably not, but he doesn’t have to be.
“I feel really fast,” Carr said. “I feel quick. I feel like I can do everything that the offense is asking me athletically. I feel good at this weight. And then, throughout the years, it could fluctuate up or a little down, but I'm just playing it ear.”
Another change for Carr will be moving from No. 12 back to No. 13. It’s the number Carr wore in high school and one that has family ties.
Carr’s father, Jason, wore it throughout his career and it carried over to the Notre Dame sophomore’s career until last year when Riley Leonard arrived.
“I was really excited,” laughed Carr. “Out of high school, I was pumped because no one had 13 on the offense. I was like, let's go. This is my chance. And then you get a national championship quarterback coming in. It's like, shoot. 12 was great and I just felt a little uncomfortable. Right now, I feel like I'm back home.”
Comfort will be the key for Carr this spring and summer as he looks to win the starting job. Keeping the game simple will also be significant, given his lack of experience, as it’s easy to press for big plays.
Carr had ‘Keep Football Simple’ written on his hand during Friday’s practice, which is something Leonard started last fall.
“Riley did it a little bit last year,” said Carr. “I have a plan each and every day, a goal that I'm trying to really improve on one part of my game is important for me.
“It's just like my intention for the day. Football is not an easy sport, but don't confuse simple with easy. There's a lot of tools that Gino gives us to be able to play fast and continue to keep the game simple.”
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