Marcus Freeman on Coaching CJ Carr: ‘He’s a Heck of a Quarterback’ and a Natural Leader

Marcus Freeman gave CJ Carr a pretty direct endorsement when asked what it’s like coaching him, calling the Notre Dame quarterback “a heck of a quarterback” and saying he’s “making our team better.” Freeman said Carr checks every box you would want: competitive, prepared, a winner, and a leader, while also praising who he is away from football.

The more telling part of Freeman’s answer was where he put Carr’s job description. “It’s not to throw touchdowns, win the Heisman, be a first-round pick,” Freeman said. “It’s to be the best leader he can be and to make his teammates better.” Freeman also called Carr “such a great human being” and said it’s “a pleasure to coach him,” framing Carr’s value as much around leadership and daily habits as arm talent.

• Freeman said coaching Carr is “almost like you create a player,” because he brings competitiveness, preparation, and leadership.
• He described Carr as “a really good kid with a lot of great stuff, you know, inside and on his shoulders.”
• Freeman emphasized Carr’s off-field makeup, saying, “He is such a great human being.”
• The head coach’s clearest message was about responsibility: Make teammates better, and “the rest of it will take care of itself.”
• Freeman’s answer tied Carr’s talent and leadership together, not separating quarterback ability from the way he carries himself.