Notre Dame’s backup quarterback competition is quietly turning into one of the more intriguing storylines heading into the summer.
With CJ Carr firmly entrenched as the starter, Blake Hebert and Noah Grubbs took full advantage of a unique spring setup. As the only quarterbacks on campus behind Carr, the duo absorbed a heavy workload, gaining valuable live reps that are often hard to come by in a crowded quarterback room.
Grubbs, in particular, benefited from the situation. The early enrollee not only handled consistent third-team reps, but also saw time with the second unit. His opportunity expanded even further during Notre Dame’s jersey scrimmage, where he operated both the second- and third-team offenses while Hebert dealt with a minor injury.
“Live reps are invaluable,” Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman stated. Noah has been getting most of the three reps. He's got a little bit of two reps. It's been a good opportunity for Noah to get some reps with the twos.”
Grubbs’ spring game performance reflected that developmental phase. He finished 7-of-14 for 64 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but numbers only tell part of the story.
The real takeaway was the decision-making process, something offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock emphasized after the game.
Denbrock pointed to a sequence where he called the same play on back-to-back snaps.
“The first one, he took his medicine, he dropped it down to the back and we gained a first down,” Denbrock explained. “The exact next play I called exactly the same play and he tried to force the dig in and got picked off.”
It’s a great lesson all quarterbacks have to go through at this level and those mistakes are only magnified facing Notre Dame’s defense every day.
Denbrock also believes it’s good for Grubbs to go through those moments, as those are real coaching opportunities he simply hasn’t had before arriving in South Bend.
“That's a little bit about young quarterbacks and maturity and how they have to handle it,” stated Denbrock. “Making decisions and making sure they don't compromise what we're trying to do as a football team along the way. That's a great lesson for him.
“As frustrating as it is to have it happen, there's no greater teacher than him going through that and understanding that and now getting better from it and us moving forward.”
While Grubbs worked through the learning curve, Hebert showed the benefits of experience. Now a year into the program, Hebert displayed improved command of the offense and a strong mental grasp.
He turned in an efficient spring game, completing 7-of-11 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. His highlight moment came on a well-placed throw to the back of the end zone to Elijah Burress.
“I think it's definitely a competition for the two that's going to go into the fall as we sort through it,” stated Denbrock. “I think Blake's made tremendous progress from where he was a year ago to now.
“I see a lot of signs of someone who understands our offensive structure a little bit better, understands kind of how to adjust it a little bit better. I like the direction that he's headed in. I think he did some really good things throughout the spring.”
And it’s about to get more crowded.
Incoming freshman Teddy Jarrard is expected to arrive on campus in early summer, adding another layer of competition. Jarrard may possess the highest upside of the group, but he’ll face the typical challenges of a first-year quarterback in terms of learning the playbook, building chemistry with receivers and adjusting to the speed of the college game.
For Denbrock and the Notre Dame staff, it’s an ideal situation. With Carr providing stability at the top, the Irish can afford to be patient while developing their young quarterbacks through real reps and internal competition.
“We'll kind of see where that lands us once we get through fall camp,” said Denbrock. “But it's going to be a competitive quarterback room.”
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