The early conversation surrounding the 2026 Heisman Trophy is already crowded with high profile quarterbacks from college football’s biggest brands. Arch Manning Julian Sayin Marcel Reed and Gunner Stockton are the names most often mentioned but Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr deserves to be part of that discussion as well.
Carr is not the preseason favorite and his path will not be easy but based on what he showed last season and what Notre Dame could be in 2026 his case is real and it is growing.
CJ Carr’s breakout foundation for Notre Dame football
As a first year starter in 2025 CJ Carr delivered one of the more impressive freshman seasons in recent Notre Dame history.