Gino Guidugli made it clear Thursday that CJ Carr has separated himself from the rest of the quarterback room, while Notre Dame is still sorting out QB2. Guidugli said Carr now has “total autonomy of the offense at the line of scrimmage” and called his biggest jump from last year his leadership, with the veteran taking the young quarterbacks “under his wing.” Behind him, the backup competition is still open, with a different quarterback rotating with the twos each day “until there’s some kind of separation.”
The other big camp note came at running back, where Ja’Juan Seider and the backs pushed back on the idea that the room takes a step back after losing Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Seider said freshman Jonaz Walton “is going to play” and praised his football IQ, while Kedren Young returned to practice saying he feels “the best I’ve felt in a long time.” Aneyas Williams also embraced the outside doubt around the room, saying the coaches’ message is that Notre Dame is “supposed to be the weak link,” and that’s something the group is carrying through camp.
- Guidugli said Teddy has been “really good” through two days and has “put himself right into the battle” for QB2.
- Marcus Freeman’s point about the backup job staying fluid into the season was echoed by Guidugli, who said the evaluation will continue after camp.
- Seider said there are “no young guys no more” in the running back room, and singled out Nolan James as a three-down option who “just need reps.”
- Seider said his first evaluation point for backs is simple: “How can we protect CJ?”
- Carr said the offseason trip to Jacksonville helped build chemistry, not just timing, with receivers and younger teammates.
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