Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr has a strength that every coach wants in a quarterback.
He doesn’t get too high. He doesn’t get too low.
But last week, Carr likely showed a little more emotion than usual when he was named a captain at Notre Dame, a role that means a great deal to the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder.
“It feels amazing,” Carr said. “It's a unique privilege for your teammates to have named you a captain. I got to see Riley (Leonard) do it two years ago, and I got to see a bunch of great leaders do it this last year. So, being up in front of those guys and having them vote for me felt awesome. One of the best accomplishments I've ever had in my life.”
Carr has always been a leader.
In fact, given his family ties to the game, Carr was born to lead.
But at Notre Dame, leadership isn’t inherited. It has to be earned. That’s what made the honor mean even more to the Michigan native.
“I think just the comfortability I have with the guys in this room,” Carr said when asked how he grew into a leader. “Being around some of the great players in this program for a bunch of different years and developing those relationships. I think leadership starts with understanding your teammates and being friends with them and being around them and caring for them. It's hard to lead somebody you're not close with.”
That leadership will be tested this season as Notre Dame looks to take another step forward in the passing game.
The Irish receiver room has plenty of potential, but still more questions than proven depth. Carr will play a major role in helping the group develop into the unit Notre Dame needs it to be by December.
For Carr, that starts with understanding what each receiver brings to the field.
“I'd say that because of the comfortability I have with some of these guys that have been around for a while, it's easy to understand who I need to focus on,” Carr explained. “I've thrown a 12-yard out to Jordan Faison 150 times, so when Bubba Frazier gets in there, or Mylan Graham gets in there, I've got to step in there and take that rep.
“We get so many reps out here that it eventually works itself out and you understand the body type and the position that that specific receiver brings to the field, so it works itself out pretty well.”
As for the concerns or narratives about Notre Dame’s receiver room, Carr is unaware of them.
“I don't know what people on the outside think of it, to be honest with you,” said Carr. “I know we've got a really good wide receiver room, and there are a lot of explosive weapons and some guys that can really do some damage to defenses.”
Graham could be the X-factor.
The Fort Wayne native arguably has as much upside as any receiver on the roster and his ability to play multiple positions only adds to his value.
After spending his first two seasons at Ohio State, Graham finally gets his chance to prove he’s ready for the bright lights this weekend.
Carr certainly believes Graham is ready.
“He's been really good for us as well,” stated Carr. “Came in with a really unique understanding of football and how to play the game. Had gone through a couple years at Ohio State. Has learned an offense and is now learning a second one and has picked up on it super quickly.
“He's done an unbelievable job. We're looking forward to him just continuing to keep taking steps. You put the ball in his hands and he's very explosive. He can do a lot.”
Then there’s Leonard Moore.
Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell said this week that the Badgers need to test Notre Dame’s All-American cornerback. Carr might be the best person to ask whether that’s a wise strategy.
Carr and Moore have spent the last three years going back and forth in practice, essentially playing chess on the perimeter.
The ball doesn’t go Moore’s way very often.
Carr hopes that changes Sunday night.
“Good luck,” said Carr. “I hope they try, to be honest with you. I hope they do. For me, there's always a temptation. He's one of my buddies. We threw a touchdown the other day and Guerby [Lambert] came up to me. He was like, ‘Man, that was a really good ball. I wish it was on Leonard.’
“That's always kind of the theme coming out of a practice. Can we get him today? It's hard.”
Want the latest scoop on Notre Dame Football and Recruiting? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
