SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – Notre Dame opened spring practice last week and continues preparation for the Blue-Gold Game on April 25 with a familiar face at quarterback.
CJ Carr is back for his third season in South Bend and his second as a starter. The continuity marks a change for the program after three consecutive offseasons working in new quarterbacks — transfers Sam Hartman and Riley Leonard, followed by last season’s competition between Carr and Kenny Minchey.
Carr said the returning experience has made a difference.
“We went back, we get bored when there’s no ball to watch, so we went back to watch all of the spring from last year and then the fall camp. It just feels different. Night and day,” Carr said. “I feel a lot more confident and consistent out there. The experience of a game and then just these practices have helped and are going to help going forward.”
Quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli said Carr has the potential to become one of Notre Dame’s best quarterbacks.
“I think CJ is going to have the chance to be one of the best quarterbacks to ever come through the University of Notre Dame. And that’s saying a whole lot,” Guidugli said. “I just challenged him because he needs to grow as a leader inside our offense. Last year coming in first year starting, you’re kind of trying to earn your spurs. You just won a quarterback job. You’re kind of concerned of like what goes through your straw of the world, right? Everybody kind of sees it through a straw, and now he’s kind of earned that with his play.”
Guidugli said his expectation is for Carr to serve as a captain this season.
“This spring we expect him to be a leader of this football team. My expectation would he be a captain of this football team and continue to grow in that way,” Guidugli said.
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