Notre Dame coveted QB commit CJ Carr to begin practicing with the team later this month
After 18 months of waiting, Notre Dame football’s future quarterback is set to arrive later this month. 2024 class four-star signal caller CJ Carr will begin practicing with the team in about two weeks.
“I’ll be there for the bowl game and however many bowl practices,” Carr, a product of Saline (Mich.) High, told Blue & Gold following a first-round playoff victory over Ann Arbor (Mich.) Pioneer on Oct. 27.
About five weeks ago, the 6-foot-2½, 195-pound Carr also said he was unsure which day he would suit up for the Fighting Irish. However, Blue & Gold can confirm it will be on Dec. 16. NCAA Bylaw 14.2.1.1 allows prospective student-athletes to begin participating before the next semester begins, as long as the last semester has concluded.
“A student-athlete may practice during the official vacation period immediately preceding initial enrollment,” the bylaw states, “provided the student has been accepted by the institution for enrollment in a regular, full-time program of studies at the time of the individual’s initial participation; is no longer enrolled in the previous educational institution; and is eligible under all institutional and NCAA requirements.
The University of Notre Dame’s final examinations for the Fall 2023 semester will conclude on Dec. 15. By the time the Irish officially announce Carr as a member of the Notre Dame football program on Dec. 20, he will have already had the opportunity to practice with it for five days.
The Irish expect Carr, the On3 Industry Ranking’s No. 57 overall player and No. 6 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class, to sign with the university officially on Dec. 20, the first day of the three-day FBS early signing window. Notre Dame faces Oregon State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on Dec. 29. Classes for the Spring 2024 semester begin on Jan. 16.
Prospective student-athletes participating in bowl practices have become common over the last few years. Most notably, 2022 class five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava started practicing with Tennessee about a week before he officially signed with the Volunteers.
More on Notre Dame football’s future quarterback, CJ Carr
Carr’s addition to the Fighting Irish roster has been a long time coming. The On3 Industry Ranking’s No. 1 prospect in Michigan in 2024 verbally committed to Notre Dame on June 9, 2022. He chose the Irish over 15 other Power Five scholarship offers, including Michigan, Alabama and Wisconsin.
Carr is the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr. His father, Jason Carr, also played quarterback for the Wolverines.
The youngest Carr guided the Saline Hornets to a 9-2 record this past football season. They lost to 2025 class five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood and Belleville (Mich.) High in the second round of the Division I Michigan playoffs.
As a senior, Carr completed 199-285 (69.8%) for 2,787 yards, 24 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He also had 40 carries, 242 yards and 9 scores.
Carr joins an Irish scholarship quarterback depth chart that includes rising junior Steve Angeli, rising sophomore Kenny Minchey and an expected fourth scholarship quarterback via the transfer portal. Notre Dame graduate student Sam Hartman is expected to start the final game of his collegiate career against Oregon State.
