In his freshman season, highly acclaimed quarterback CJ Carr didn’t take a single snap for Notre Dame. But it wasn’t just the usual case of a young quarterback waiting his turn. An elbow injury in September kept him from throwing for months.
Despite that, his approach to preparation never wavered. Even without playing time, Carr stood out for his commitment and readiness.
CJ Carr Was Always Ready To Get Back on the Field
Carr’s injury didn’t require surgery, but Notre Dame took a cautious approach to his recovery. He wasn’t seen throwing again until early November. Still, quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli made it clear—Carr never stopped preparing like a starter.
Gino Guidugli was encouraged with CJ Carr throughout his freshman season, even while the c/o ’24 signal-caller was out with an elbow injury.
“Anything that didn’t involve throwing the football, he was still involved in,” Guidugli told @ByKyleKelly. https://t.co/CP3NzmR1Rv pic.twitter.com/xcXFXeae93
— BlueandGold.com (@BGInews) February 19, 2025
“Inside of practice, anything that didn’t involve throwing the football, he was still involved in,” Guidugli said. The freshman quarterback took part in drills with running backs, studied blitz pickups, and worked on protections. Every aspect of the game he could engage with, he did.
His commitment extended beyond the practice field. According to Guidugli, Carr was in his office every morning, sometimes even before the coach arrived. He spent time learning how to break down film, study defenses, and develop a deeper understanding of the game.
Even though he was sidelined, his preparation remained elite. “Even though he wasn’t going to play and he wasn’t on the scout team [after he got hurt], his preparation was like he was gonna start the game,” Guidugli said. The way Carr took notes, studied opponents, and engaged with the team stood out.
Carr was still on a pitch count by the time the national championship rolled around. He had moved on from light warmups to throwing routes on air, but his full arm strength hadn’t returned.
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Even so, his leadership and mindset remained evident. “He’s not scared to be vocal,” Guidugli said. “He’s also not scared to confront somebody when they’re wrong and demand that they do things right.”
Carr’s patience and effort could pay off soon. With a chance to compete for the starting job in 2025, his first year at Notre Dame may not have included game reps—but it proved he’s ready when the opportunity comes.
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