Notre Dame, Ind. – After a month-long quarterback battle that carried through fall camp, Marcus Freeman officially named CJ Carr Notre Dame’s starting quarterback last week. On Monday, Freeman shed more light on the decision and why Carr emerged over sophomore Kenny Minchey.
Quick Hits From Freeman’s Monday Presser:
- Freeman said both Carr and Minchey “improved in training camp” and pushed each other.
- The decision wasn’t based on stats — Freeman called it a gut choice for Week 1.
- Carr’s leadership and confidence helped separate him from Minchey.
- Freeman praised Minchey’s maturity in handling the decision and said Notre Dame “will need both” this season.
- Carr will make his first career start in primetime against Miami.
Freeman stressed that both quarterbacks elevated their play in camp, making the decision as difficult as any he has faced.
“I think CJ and Kenny both improved in training camp, and that’s what you want out of a competition. You want both guys to find ways to elevate, and I believe they both did,” Freeman said. “I had to make a difficult decisio,n and I did. And as I told both of them we’re going to need both of them this year… they both have to be mature enough to handle that decision and understand they’re chasing their full potential.”
Freeman admitted there wasn’t a clear statistical edge for Carr. Instead, he relied on a gut feeling about what Notre Dame needed heading into the season opener against Miami.
“I hesitate saying this is why I made [the] decision because what I don’t want to do is look as like a positive for one guy and a negative for another,” Freeman said. “Statistically, it’s close to any quarterback competition I’ve ever been a part of… and it wasn’t clear. They were both really really good statistically. And I just had to make a difficult decision, and then I had to trust my gut a little bit. What I felt like we needed going into Week 1 versus opponent. Who who will be able to handle that decision the right way. I think all those things played into my decision.”
Intangibles Pushed Carr Ahead
While Carr’s arm talent and accuracy have never been in question, Freeman pointed to the freshman’s leadership and command of the offense as traits that stood out once the competition was settled.
“He’s as intelligent of a football player you’ll be around. Works extremely hard in his preparation. He just studies the game endlessly to find a way to improve. He’s a guy that’s very confident. At some points you maybe a little bit overconfident, but you want that in your quarterback. You want the quarterback to say, ‘I want the ball in my hands every play when the game is on the line,’” Freeman said.
Freeman also noted that Carr’s presence helps elevate those around him.
“Be the best version of CJ Carr. Make those guys around you better. That’s something that he does really well,” Freman said. “He raises the play of those guys around him through his words, through his actions, through his competitive spirit. Be that guy. And at the end of the day, don’t just win this play, right? Not the last one. Just win this one right in front of us.”
Kenny Minchey’s Response
Even though Carr won the job, Freeman went out of his way to praise Minchey’s growth and maturity, both in camp and in the days since the decision was announced.
“His decision-making, his arm strength, his leadership in his own way. You talk about a guy that’s probably gained more trust from the start of spring ball to now than maybe anybody in our program. And he is really really good, he’s good enough to be the starting quarterback at Notre Dame,” Freeman said of Minchey.
As expected, Minchey was disappointed when told the news — but Freeman said he quickly responded the right way.
“There is a disappointment that is a natural human reaction that any competitor is going to have when they’re not named starter. And he was disappointed,” said Freeman. “But I knew after a day or so, he was going to use it to make him a better version of Kenny. And that’s what I’ve seen. He’s come out and he’s practiced. He’s prepared in a way that you expect Kenny Minchey to do. And that’s a sign of maturity,” Freeman explained.
What It Means Going Forward
Freeman made it clear this isn’t a one-quarterback season. Carr may have won the starting role, but Notre Dame expects Minchey to remain an important part of the offense.
“We’re going to need both of them this year. You’re going to need both of them,” Freeman said.
Carr will get his first career start in one of the most challenging environments possible — primetime in Miami against a top-ten Hurricanes team. That baptism by fire may come with growing pains, but Freeman believes his young quarterback is ready.
