The 2025 college football season had its share of highs and lows for Notre Dame. After dropping their first two games against Miami and Texas A&M, the Fighting Irish went on a 10-game winning streak but fell just short of the College Football Playoff. Notre Dame enters 2026 as one of the top national championship contenders, due in large part to CJ Carr returning under center.
Carr performed well in his first season of action in 2025 and looks to cement himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. His traits are apparent, but he also has areas of his game that need improvement. How does Carr stack up among the top quarterbacks in the 2027 NFL Draft, and can he be a first-round selection?
2027 NFL Draft: CJ Carr Early Player Profile
CJ Carr’s Measurables
Height- 6-foot-2
Weight- 215 pounds
CJ Carr’s Background
Carr was a four-star recruit coming out of Saline (Michigan) and the sixth-ranked quarterback in the Class of 2024. He is the grandson of national champion head coach Lloyd Carr. Carr committed to Notre Dame and redshirted the 2024 season. After Riley Leonard went off to the NFL, he took over as the starter for 2025. He didn’t get the chance to ease into the role, as his first two matchups were against the Hurricanes and Aggies, both of which made the College Football Playoff. While his squad lost both games, he performed respectably. Carr completed 66.6% of his passes for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 12 starts during his redshirt freshman campaign.
CJ Carr’s Strengths
Carr has exceptional arm talent, with the ability to hit deep passes down the sideline, particularly back-shoulder throws. He generates excellent velocity as a passer, allowing him to thread completions into tight windows. His athleticism is adequate, and he can beat defenses with his legs when given open grass. Although Carr is still a very young prospect, he has great poise in the pocket. He doesn’t panic under pressure and keeps his eyes downfield.
His accuracy is nuanced, as he puts passes on the right shoulder of his target to create yards-after-catch opportunities. Carr isn’t just a fastball thrower; he levels his throws and puts good touch on passes when needed. He’s flashed good pre-snap recognition and the ability to work through progressions post-snap.
CJ Carr’s Weaknesses
While there’s plenty to like about Carr as a prospect, and he has impressive physical traits, there are still aspects of his game he has to clean up. He can make any throw with his arm talent, but there are times he forces passes into windows that aren’t there. This can lead to avoidable turnovers. Although he can certainly manage the pocket, there are also times he bails too early and risks taking sacks. His mobility is decent, but he isn’t a true dual-threat quarterback. Carr’s frame is on the lighter end for a QB, which can lead to concerns about staying durable throughout a full NFL season.
CJ Carr Prospect Overview
Carr is a fascinating prospect to follow during the 2026 season. His arm strength gives him great upside, and he’s an accurate passer. He has already shown the ability to work through his reads and stay calm in a muddy pocket. While he can try forcing plays and risk negative plays, these are fixable issues for a player with just 12 collegiate starts. Carr had a strong 2025 season, but he won’t have his top skill players from a year ago.
Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price formed the best running back tandem in the nation, with both being first-round picks. Malachi Fields and Eli Raridon are also gone, meaning Carr will have to maintain his production with an overhauled supporting cast. The 2027 quarterback class is expected to be deep with talent, but Carr is among the top prospects available. He projects as a first-round pick and has the chance to climb to the top of the board with a strong showing in 2026.
