- Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock said Carr has embraced responsibility and the offense has been tailored to his strengths
- Wide receiver Will Pauling highlighted Carr’s surprising command of the huddle despite his age
- Receiver Jordan Faison noted Carr’s ability to process defenses and stay composed
- Coaches emphasized that Carr has put in the work to earn this shot
- Players stressed that his confidence and maturity have made him easy to rally around
The quarterback spotlight always burns hottest at Notre Dame, but new Irish QB CJ Carr doesn’t seem fazed. Despite being just a redshirt freshman, Carr has already earned the trust of both coaches and teammates. This week, voices from across the program lined up to praise his poise, maturity, and readiness to lead the Irish into one of the most hostile environments in college football.
Mike Denbrock: Carr Wants It on His Shoulders
Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock didn’t hold back when asked about Carr’s approach since being named QB1.
“Really excited about his eagerness to dive in the deep end. He wants a lot of responsibility,” said Denbrock. “He wants it on his shoulders, and that’s what you want from someone who’s as competitive as he is and plays quarterback.”
At the same time, Denbrock acknowledged the importance of easing Carr into his first start on the road.
“We’re going to ease him into this thing,” cautioned Denbrock. “He can handle a lot, but with the atmosphere being what it is, playing on the road first game, we’ll be a little bit cautious with how we approach it in the beginning and see how this thing gets rolling.”
Denbrock also confirmed that the Irish offense has already been adjusted to Carr’s strengths.
“We got a lot of information on both of those guys during fall camp, gave us a little bit of a head start on what their strengths are,” Denbrock stated. “Everybody who plays quarterback sees certain things certain ways. We just have to make sure we’re putting them in the best position to use their strengths to our advantage.”
Teammates See Maturity Beyond His Years
Wide receiver and captain Will Pauling admitted that Carr’s presence in the huddle caught him off guard.
“It kind of surprised you because he’s a redshirt freshman, so he’s a young guy, but you wouldn’t guess that at all,” said the Wisconsin transfer. “He’s very confident, not only in his play, but as well as how he’s able to lead an offense, a locker room. That’s what makes CJ so special — he’s well beyond his years.”
Pauling also emphasized that trust has already been built.
“When you think about CJ and how he kind of commands a huddle, it’s not just about his talent. Guys believe in him,” he added.
Jordan Faison on Carr’s Competitiveness and Football IQ
Jordan Faison echoed those sentiments, pointing to Carr’s ability to process quickly and keep his composure.
“He’s got it all,” Faison said bluntly. “Especially for a younger guy, he can understand defenses. He understands the playbook, all the ins and outs of it. He knows the reads. If maybe we mess up or he might be late on a throw, we come back, talk about it, have great discussion about it, go out the next play and get it right. To have that guy be so young but so mature is great.”
Faison also praised Carr’s competitive edge.
“They’re going to see a dog out there, a guy who’s competitive, relentless. No matter good or bad, he knows how to handle himself and is going to go out there and show what he can do.”
Coaches: Carr Has Earned It
Denbrock made it clear that Carr’s elevation to QB1 is about hard work as much as talent.
“I know the type of work that he’s put in to give himself this opportunity. We’re as anxious to see this whole thing as every Notre Dame fan out there is,” said the Notre Dame OC. “We’ll give him the tools necessary to be successful, but really success for us equates around team glory. If that’s a one-point victory, we’ll take it and run like our hair’s on fire.”
The message from Denbrock echoed what head coach Marcus Freeman said on Tuesday: Carr earned the job with his preparation, and now the staff is confident in tailoring the offense around him.
The Locker Room Has His Back
Between Denbrock’s steady confidence, Pauling’s praise of his leadership, and Faison’s recognition of his maturity, the picture is clear: Carr has very quickly earned the trust of his veteran teammates. They have fully bought in, and that may be as important as anything when it comes to winning on Sunday night in a hostile environment.
Notre Dame’s locker room has rallied around young quarterbacks before, but it has been some time since a redshirt freshman has drawn this kind of across-the-board trust so quickly.
Notre Dame doesn’t just have a new starter at quarterback — it has a team that has already lined up behind him. Carr hasn’t taken a snap yet as QB1, but coaches and teammates have been consistent: his maturity and poise are far beyond his years. That belief is what Notre Dame will carry into Hard Rock Stadium this weekend. If Carr plays the way his teammates expect, Sunday night could mark the start of an exciting new chapter in South Bend.
