Marcus Freeman Opens Notre Dame Camp With CJ Carr Set as Starter, Backup Battle Open

Marcus Freeman opened fall camp by making two things clear: CJ Carr is entrenched as the starter, and the backup quarterback job is still open. Freeman said Blake Hebert and Noah Grubbs will split second-team work, while freshman Teddy Jarrard has a real chance to make a move, adding, “the backup for week one doesn’t mean the backup for week six.” He also said Carr’s experience is now an “X factor” because he can get the offense into better looks and avoid negative plays without needing constant sideline help.

Freeman also kept the focus on September, saying Notre Dame has “a lot of work to do before September 6” and that camp will be “an extremely important period” for getting ready for Wisconsin. He said the roster is physically ahead of last year, the foundation is higher with all three coordinators back, and the biggest camp questions go beyond quarterback, including the offensive line, defensive end rotation, and sorting out the top six or seven wideouts. At receiver, Freeman singled out Micah Gilbert, saying he has had “as good of an offseason as anyone,” while noting Quincy Porter is still limited.

• Freeman said Teddy Jarrard being in the backup mix for Game 1 is “not unrealistic for anything.”
• On Carr, Freeman said he prepared like a starter even when he was not playing and has been intentional about building timing with receivers, including summer throwing sessions and a trip to Florida.
• Freeman identified returning production and continuity as reasons Notre Dame is schematically ahead entering camp.
• At boundary receiver, Micah Gilbert, Elijah Burress, and Cam Williams are in the mix while Porter works back.
• Freeman said if a player is listed as limited, Notre Dame expects he can be full-go at some point, hopefully before the opener.