Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr enters 2026 season with championship expectations

Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr prepares for his second season as a starter as the Irish open the 2026 campaign against Wisconsin on Sunday night at Lambeau Field. The team enters the matchup ranked No. 4 in the preseason Associated Press poll with goals of reaching the College Football Playoff. Carr, the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, transitioned from a standout freshman campaign where he threw for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns. His first season resulted in a No. 10 national ranking but narrowly missed the playoff bracket. Entering this year, Carr faces increased responsibility following the departures of running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price to the NFL. He is currently considered a candidate for the Heisman Trophy heading into the opener in Green Bay.

• 10:48 PMYahoo Sports — How CJ Carr, the grandson of Michigan legends, became the QB tasked with ending Notre Dame’s title drought