CJ Carr reflects on Notre Dame's Resilience, Expanded Role at Manning Passing Academy

Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr made his way to Thibodaux, La., this week for the annual Manning Passing Academy, serving as a camp counselor while competing alongside many of the nation's top quarterbacks.

The Heisman Trophy candidate sat down with SEC reporter AP Steadham before Friday night's college quarterback competition and he reflected on Notre Dame's 10-2 campaign last fall.

“I think we learned a lot about the resilience that our football team had,” Carr told Steadham. “We started the year off with two hard losses, but we were able to battle back. At the end of the season, stringing together 10 wins was special.”

That mindset helped shape Carr's approach heading into his second season as Notre Dame's starting quarterback. While the Irish won 10 straight games after an 0-2 start, Carr believes his biggest growth came from treating every practice as an opportunity to improve.

Throughout spring practice, Carr and head coach Marcus Freeman emphasized using practice to expand the offense. Now, there were a few no-look passes and the Irish tested different concepts, but Carr has consistently stressed that consistency is the next step in his development.

“I think you try and go into every practice trying to learn something new,” said Carr. “There's a ton of things I learned throughout that first year. Continuing to make good decisions with the football and take the shots when they're there. Doing it at a more consistent level is important.”

With no quarterback competition this offseason, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock has fully handed Carr the keys to the offense. That trust extends well beyond making throws.

Pre-snap adjustments and checks are now on Carr’s shoulders, which is an area of the game he takes great pride in.

“They give us a lot of freedom to check plays,” explained Carr. “We're very active at the line of scrimmage. All the protections are on us. It's fun for me to be able to try and figure out what the defense is doing and being able to counter that.”

The annual Friday night quarterback competition generates plenty of buzz on social media every summer, but Carr believes one of the most rewarding parts of the week has been working with the next generation of quarterbacks.

“I've had a lot of fun working with some of the camp counselors and the kids,” said Carr. “I think it always helps being able to teach something. You understand it at a different level. Teaching footwork and progression reads has all been a lot of fun.”

As for some parting words for Notre Dame fans, Carr kept it simple and to the point.

“Go Irish,” Carr said. “It's going to be fun.”