Michigan football teammates explain why they believe in Tommy Carr

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Michigan football teammates explain why they believe in Tommy Carr

Michigan football teammates explain why they believe in Tommy Carr

Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire · Wolverines Wire

Wed, November 4, 2026 at 3:22 PM UTC ·

2 min read

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. --A true freshman isn't supposed to start at quarterback in college football, especially for a Power Four team like Michigan football. And yet, for the second straight year, the Wolverines have a true freshman starter.

The maize and blue moved on from Bryce Underwood in favor of Tommy Carr, and in Carr's second start, he passed for 266 yards and a touchdown at an 80% clip and rushed for 54 yards and two more touchdowns. Though his first start against Indiana didn't go as hoped, it appears that he's a more natural fit to run offensive coordinator Jason Beck's offense than Underwood.

And he's getting a vote of confidence from his teammates.

Senior offensive lineman Evan Link shares why he believes in Carr and what he's been able to do to keep the offense running, even with just two and a half games under his belt.

"The main word I use for Tommy is just poised," Link said. "I think he's very calm in the huddle. He's very calm in the pocket. I think that kind of radiates to our offense, right? Obviously, he's a young guy, right? So sometimes we kind of have to keep him in there. But most of the time, it's that dude reminding us to calm down and stay in control. So I think that's the word I use for him. He's just poised. He's in control. He's very calm. And I think that's a great quality for a quarterback."

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano, left, talks with Michigan Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham before the game at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Salesi Moa (12) gains yards after catch during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver JJ Buchanan (6) reacts after making a catch against Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Kevyn Humes (4) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Savion Hiter (5) reaches for the end zone during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines kicks a field goal during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tommy Carr (14) drops back to pass during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tommy Carr (14) scrambles during the first half as Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman Rondo Porter (99) defends at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Savion Hiter (5) runs with the ball during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Bryson Kuzdzal (24) carries the ball during the second half as Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Chris Joines (20) pursues at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Bradlee Jones (5) and Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Salesi Moa (12) talk during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; A fan dressed as the character Ted Lasso holds up a sign during the second half between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Michigan Wolverines at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano reacts during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Antwan Raymond (3) gains yards after catch as Michigan Wolverines linebacker Nathaniel Staehling (44) pursues during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tommy Carr (14) scores on a rushing touchdown during the second half in front of Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman RJ Johnson Jr. (14) at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tommy Carr (14) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Chris Bracy (7) reacts after a defensive stop during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 31, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham reacts during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

You can see the poise in action on plays like the one where Link was tripped up by tight end Hogan Hansen in the red zone vs. Rutgers. Pressure ended up getting through the line, and Carr scrambled, looking downfield to see if he could find a receiving threat in a timely fashion. One not available, he found a crease, and rushed into the end zone for his second touchdown on the ground.

Hansen noted that he just has that 'it' factor, and that aids the offense, particularly when things break down.

But more than that, Carr managed to hit eight different receivers against the Scarlet Knights, so it wasn't just about finding JJ Buchanan and Andrew Marsh -- everyone got involved.

"I think he's just like a natural playmaker," Hansen said. "We saw that in spring, in the spring when he didn't even fully know the offense, just like rolling out and finding people who are open. Like, I just think he has a knack, a knack for spreading the ball. He's not going to stare down the first read. He's aware of how the play develops, and he's always keeping his eye open."

Fans will get another opportunity to see Carr in action on Saturday, this time in a rivalry game, when Michigan football hosts MSU at The Big House for a night game on Peacock.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football teammates explain why they believe in Tommy Carr

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Michigan football teammates explain why they believe in Tommy Carr

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