Notre Dame QB CJ Carr and his family have unconventionally recreated one of the greatest CFB rivalries under one roof, once again

CJ Carr just became the black sheep of his family once again.

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer
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When Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr opted for the Fighting Irish back in the 2024 recruiting class, most saw it coming for a few months. Head coach Marcus Freeman, Tommy Rees, and Notre Dame had asserted themselves as the team to beat very early on in the process. It didn’t make it any easier for Michigan Wolverine fans out there, especially with the obvious ties to the program. 

Carr’s grandfather was legendary Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr. He was the program’s head coach from 1995-2006. During those 13 seasons, Carr compiled a 122-40 overall record with the maize and blue. That included six 10-win seasons and a national championship during the 1997 campaign. 

Letting a five-star signal caller leave the state, especially with his grandfather’s background, and considering his dad Jason also played quarterback for the Wolverines, it was a tough blow at the time. A Notre Dame man growing up in a Michigan household isn’t something that you see every day. 

The Michigan side of the house did get some great news over the weekend when it was announced that CJ’s younger brother, 2026 Saline (Mich.) High School standout quarterback Tommy Carr was flipping his commitment from Miami (OH) to the Wolverines. That’s also not a switch you see often, but Michigan valued what Carr has put on film this fall. 

While the modern world of conference realignment has threatened the best part of college football, the great rivalries, the Notre Dame versus Michigan hatred still persists. That rivalry is alive and well now inside the Carr household once again. Let’s hope that the two brothers meet on the field someday. 

Tommy Carr’s recruiting background 

Carr is considered to be a three-star player by each of the major recruiting platforms. On the 247 Sports Composite ranking, Carr currently sits as the No. 962 overall player, the No. 49 quarterback, and the No. 18 player from the state of Michigan for the 2027 recruiting class. There’s a chance that his rankings rise some down the stretch with the senior season Carr has put together. 

During that season, Carr led Saline to a 10-2 overall record. He would complete nearly 70 percent of his passes for 2,737 and 37 touchdowns. Carr added another 276 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, while only throwing six interceptions. Those touchdown passes and total touchdown totals were both better than his brother had for Saline in any given season. 

Despite that great final season, Carr’s offer list is still relatively small. The schools that have offered him include the Wolverines, the Redhawks, Iowa State, Rutgers, Wake Forest, Bowling Green, Akron, and Eastern Michigan. Only takes one opportunity to prove people wrong, and I’m sure that’s what Carr is hoping to show in Ann Arbor.

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