At half past noon on Tuesday, Aug. 19, head coach Marcus Freeman announced CJ Carr as their starting quarterback for the season opener in Miami. To most people surrounding the program, the sophomore was presumed the eventual starter following the departure of Steve Angeli in the transfer portal. However, after three weeks of fall camp, the final decision felt unexpected.
From the beginning of camp, junior Kenny Minchey proved that the quarterback competition in South Bend was far from a pre-determined one. Carr’s nightmare first day, where he threw three interceptions, would prove to be part of a concerning theme across the following weeks. While Carr's seductive arm talent had emerged several times since arriving in South Bend, from downfield dimes in the spring game to sideline shots in practice scrimmages, a failure to protect the ball put his chance at the job in jeopardy. But more than Carr’s mistakes, Minchey proved to be better than anyone had anticipated. Sound decision-making and dual-threat capability were the formula for Riley Leonard and Notre Dame in their hard-fought week one victory on the road against Texas A&M last season. Minchey offered a similar skillset, one that offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock has grown accustomed to building around, with Leonard last season and Jayden Daniels before him. Entering a hostile Hard Rock Stadium against No. 10 Miami will prove a similarly tall task to the Aggies in 2024. In the days leading up to Sunday’s jersey scrimmage, it seemed like Minchey would be carrying that burden.
The much-anticipated press conference following the scrimmage left everyone waiting. A decision, however, had to be made in the coming days as preparation for Miami began. In finally choosing Carr days later, Freeman and his staff surprised many. Like in week one, when he chose to line up an offensive line with six combined starts against ferocious SEC pass rushers in front of over 100,000 Aggie faithful, Freeman was betting on talent. The implications of his decision extend far beyond the outcome of Sunday night’s contest. It is a decision made with an eye on the national championship.
His risk one year ago paid off, and then some. Notre Dame’s run to the title game was overwhelming evidence of it. In the grand scheme of the season, the team’s ceiling appears higher with Carr. Bolstered by an elite defense, explosive rushing attack and stellar offensive line, the week one result should be relatively unaffected by the quarterback decision. The game plan on offense will not change. Hand the ball off. Don’t turn it over. But that won’t be enough against the elite teams. When it comes time to face the Ohio State and Texas teams of the world, they will hope to present an offense that has evolved into something greater — something they hope Carr can unlock.
With far more talent at the receiver position than in past seasons, the potential for that evolution is tantalizing. An offense with a legitimate downfield passing attack would be a sight to behold in South Bend. It is one that fans haven’t seen in some time, even in the team’s best seasons. CJ Carr is an investment. The program, both on and off the field, has invested in him. Marcus Freeman has invested in him. Time will tell if that investment pays off.
