Michigan legacy CJ Carr has emerged as a top QB in the 2024 class
SALINE, Mich. — Quarterback CJ Carr is entering his sophomore season at Saline High in Michigan. The 6-foot-3, 190 pound signal caller split time in 2020 with the junior varsity and varsity before starting the season finale due to injury of the upperclassmen starter.
Carr rode that momentum of getting the start into the off-season and he has quickly emerged as a talent to know in the Midwest.
Michigan offered first and that was big for multiple reasons. Carr is a Michigan legacy with his grandfather being former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr.
“Getting an offer from Michigan would have been big for me at any point, but to be the first one made it that more special,” Carr said. “The Michigan offer came shortly after my freshman season, so it was an exciting time. It gave me confidence.”
CJ Carr grew up a huge Michigan fan
Carr cannot count the games he has attended in the Big House. He’s been going to games in Ann Arbor for as long as he can remember.
“I have always been a big Michigan fan,” Carr said. “Growing up, I have gone to so many games there and I have always followed the school. Michigan is a great school and knowing my grandfather coached there means a lot.”
Having that connection to the Wolverine program has put the local school in a great spot early for Carr. He still loves Michigan as a fan, but he is evaluating the program a little differently now.
He has to see Michigan as a recruit.
“I visited Michigan a few weeks ago and I saw a lot of things I liked. I know a lot about the school, the history and all that because I have grown around it, but I saw the nutrition program, the weight program and how focused they are about keeping the players healthy in and out of the season.
“The campus is great, I have always loved the fans and there is a lot to like about Michigan. I will be learning a lot more about them as a recruit.”
Michigan will have a lot of competition for Carr
Carr did not hang around home and just dream about playing at Michigan over the summer. He got out, competed at camps and earned numerous offers.
“Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Eastern Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State offered me this summer after I camped with them,” Carr said. “I really liked each experience and I am interested in each of those schools. The coaches were great, I learned new things and there is something special about each of those programs.”
Carr spoke highly of all six schools, but one in the Big Ten definitely surprised him.
“I’d have to say I did like Wisconsin even more than I expected to. I knew it was nice, but I loved the workout and how coach Paul Chryst trained with me for four hours. Coach Chryst and Wisconsin really made a big impression on me. I really liked how they did things there.”
The Saline season is the main focus for Carr this fall, but he is hoping to get back to games at places like Wisconsin, Penn State, Notre Dame and of course Michigan. Nothing is scheduled yet.
Carr will take the recruiting process slow
He is in no rush. He got his first offer eight or nine months ago. Carr has a great support group around him and he is in no hurry.
“It is always about my team first,” Carr said. “That is my focus. I will work on winning a state championship first, then recruiting next. I know i have plenty of time.”
Visits are nice and Carr is looking forward to meeting more coaches, getting a better feel for the different schools and eventually finding the best place for him.
That is not something he is thinking too much about right now, but he knows what is important to him.
“Connecting with coaches is something I am looking for. I want to relate to them and have that connection. The school itself and the degree is very high on my list too. That is program most important.
“How I fit into the program and having a chance to play is something I am looking at as well. I want to go in and have a chance to play, so playing time will be something I really look at moving forward.
“I just know I will find out that later. The focus now is my team and that is what I am thinking about.”