Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr has some early 2027 NFL Draft hype. Just how deserving is the Fighting Irish signal caller?
Height:6-2
Weight:215 pounds
Year:RS Sophomore
Pro Comparison: Trent Green
Carr is a very natural thrower, and the ball comes of his hand extremely well and is very catchable
He is a very confident thrower; there isn't a spot on the field he thinks he can't threaten
He's a rhythm thrower; when he gets hot, it doesn't feel like he can miss
There is a clear understanding for how to change arms speeds, allowing him to throw with impressive touch to the intermediate-deep levels of the field
He is a middling athlete for NFL standards, will never be a major threat with his legs
There are moments where Carr can be an arrogant thrower, forces some balls that he shouldn't
Trusts his first read too regularly; he needs to do a better job working thought his progressions and not get to stuck on the initial read
Outside of an odd ranking from On3, Carr was considered to be a top-50 by both 247 Sports and ESPN. On the 247 Sports Composite ranking, Carr ended up rated as a four-star, the No. 68 overall player, the No. 6 quarterback, and the No. 1 player from the state of Michigan for the 2024 recruiting class. Viewed as a massive win for Notre Dame at the time, the Fighting Irish were able to win out over an elite group of potential suitors. Some of his other top offers included Georgia, Alabama , Michigan, LSU , Penn State , Nebraska , Missouri , Indiana, Michigan State , Wisconsin , Arizona, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Maryland , and West Virginia , among others.
After redshirting during his true freshman season in 2024, Carr became the full-time starter for Notre Dame this past season. In 12 games, Carr managed to throw for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also completed nearly 67 percent of his passes, threw just six interceptions, and ran for an additional three scores on the ground. Heading into 2026, Carr is considered to be one of the early favorites for the 2027 NFL Draft quarterback class, despite being just a redshirt sophomore.
It shouldn't be much of a surprise that Carr comes from a football family when you watch him play. He's a smooth processor who clearly trusts what his eyes see. There is also a good level of arm arrogance and conviction with how he plays, having little issue with testing tighter windows. When Carr is in rhythm and comfortable, he is an extremely accurate passer who mostly keeps consistent ball placement. While Carr is mostly an in-structure signal caller, he has also flashed the ability to make some plays as an extender. He is a competitive quarterback who brings a good demeanor when things aren't going well. There is a high level of trust in his abilities.
While Carr has moments as an improviser, there is a strong argument that part of his game won't translate well. He's a below-average athlete for NFL standards, and it's unlikely that Carr will ever be a major threat with his legs. When working against pressure, Carr can be prone to mistakes. Without great athleticism, he will mostly be limited to working inside the pocket. There are moments where Carr's arm arrogance can work in his favor, and others where it can be a hindrance. When he gets stuck on his first read or trusts his arm too much, it can lead to some vicarious decisions.
There are clearly some building blocks to work with for Carr, and the first round could very well be in his future. With some maturing that needs to happen, however, there's a strong argument that he might be better suited to be a part of the 2028 NFL Draft class. There's a vision to be excited about to become a plus starter on the next level, but a big jump is needed in 2026.
