Why Notre Dame’s CJ Carr is suddenly a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr entered the 2025 season with plenty of expectations, but few projected him to be discussed among the nation’s elite quarterbacks this quickly. Less than a year later, that conversation has changed dramatically.
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In ESPN’s recent quarterback tiers rankings for the 2026 college football season, Carr was placed among the top quarterbacks in the country, trailing only a handful of established stars such as Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Miami’s Darian Mensah. The ranking reflects how much Carr’s stock has risen nationally and highlights why the Notre Dame signal-caller could become a serious factor in the 2026 Heisman Trophy race.
For Notre Dame fans, the recognition validates what they watched unfold throughout last season. For the rest of college football, it serves as a reminder that the Fighting Irish may once again possess the most important ingredient required for a national championship run: elite quarterback play.
The ESPN rankings weren’t designed to predict Heisman winners, but they revealed something important. Carr is no longer viewed as a promising young quarterback. He’s now viewed as one of the best quarterbacks in America.
ESPN’s rankings show growing confidence in CJ Carr
Quarterback rankings published during the offseason often reveal how national analysts view a team’s ceiling. That’s what makes Carr’s placement so noteworthy.
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According to ESPN’s evaluation, Carr belongs in the same conversation as many of the quarterbacks expected to lead College Football Playoff contenders. That’s a significant jump for a player who spent much of his early career developing within one of college football’s most scrutinized programs.
The recognition isn’t solely based on potential. Carr demonstrated the ability to make difficult throws, operate within Notre Dame’s offensive structure and consistently limit mistakes. Those traits often separate good quarterbacks from championship-caliber quarterbacks.
It’s also worth noting that Notre Dame enters the season with legitimate national title aspirations. Quarterbacks on playoff contenders naturally receive more attention, and Carr appears positioned to benefit from that spotlight throughout the fall.
Notre Dame’s supporting cast could boost his Heisman chances
One reason Heisman campaigns often gain momentum is team success. Quarterbacks don’t win the award solely because of statistics. They win because they’re producing at a high level while leading teams that remain in the national spotlight.
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Notre Dame appears capable of doing exactly that.
The Fighting Irish return one of the stronger rosters in college football and are expected to compete for a playoff berth from the opening week of the season. The offensive line should once again be among the program’s strengths, while the defense projects as one of the nation’s better units. That matters because it allows Carr to focus on elevating the offense rather than carrying the team by himself.
Some of the most successful Heisman campaigns in recent years have featured quarterbacks surrounded by talented rosters capable of winning double-digit games. Carr enters 2026 with a similar opportunity.
If Notre Dame finds itself ranked inside the top five entering November, Carr’s name will almost certainly become a bigger part of the Heisman conversation.
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National exposure has always favored Notre Dame quarterbacks
Few programs receive the weekly attention that Notre Dame commands. Whether the Fighting Irish are playing a top-10 opponent or a non-conference matchup, their games consistently attract national audiences. Every major performance receives immediate attention across television, social media and sports talk shows.
That level of visibility can be invaluable in a Heisman race. Voters tend to remember standout performances in high-profile games. Notre Dame quarterbacks have historically benefited from that exposure, and Carr could be next in line.
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If he delivers signature performances against ranked opponents and helps guide the Fighting Irish toward another playoff appearance, he’ll have opportunities to build a compelling Heisman résumé throughout the season.
The key will be consistency.
Quarterbacks such as Manning, Mensah and several other highly-ranked passers will also be competing for attention. Carr doesn’t necessarily need to post the biggest numbers in the country, but he does need to continue producing at a high level when the spotlight is brightest.
Why 2026 could be the year Carr becomes a household name
The biggest takeaway from ESPN’s quarterback rankings isn’t necessarily where Carr landed. It’s who he was grouped with.
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The publication placed him alongside quarterbacks expected to compete for conference championships, playoff appearances and national awards. That’s not recognition handed out lightly.
For years, Notre Dame has searched for the quarterback capable of helping push the program over the final hurdle in its pursuit of a national championship. Carr may not have accomplished that yet, but national analysts clearly believe he has the talent to make it happen. Whether he ultimately wins the Heisman Trophy remains to be seen.
What is clear, however, is that one of college football’s most prestigious programs enters the 2026 season with a quarterback who is rapidly earning the respect of the entire sport. And if ESPN’s rankings are any indication, CJ Carr’s rise may just be getting started.
