Notre Dame Football Quarterback Room Preview 2026: CJ Carr Leads Talented Fighting Irish Depth Chart

The quarterback position will be one of the biggest storylines for Notre Dame heading into the 2026 football season. The Fighting Irish enter the year with a talented and developing quarterback room featuring a former elite recruit, multiple highly regarded freshmen, and a group of young players competing for future roles within the program.

While sophomore quarterback CJ Carr enters the season as the expected leader of the position group, Notre Dame has built impressive depth behind him with several talented quarterbacks capable of developing into future contributors. The competition throughout fall camp should strengthen the entire room as the Fighting Irish continue their pursuit of a College Football Playoff appearance and a national championship.

Under head coach Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame offensive coaching staff, the Fighting Irish continue to emphasize toughness, discipline, and efficient quarterback play. Notre Dame has traditionally valued quarterbacks who can make smart decisions, protect the football, handle pressure, and lead the offense in critical moments.

The 2026 quarterback room combines high-level recruiting talent, strong physical tools, and long-term potential, giving Notre Dame confidence at one of the most important positions on the field.

Notre Dame’s Offensive Philosophy

Notre Dame’s offense is built around balance, physicality, and quarterback efficiency. The Fighting Irish look to establish the running game while creating opportunities for quarterbacks to make accurate throws and take advantage of defensive weaknesses.

Quarterbacks in the Notre Dame system must be able to operate efficiently from the pocket, understand defensive structures, make pre-snap adjustments, and deliver accurate throws in pressure situations. Mobility and playmaking ability have also become increasingly important as modern college football continues to evolve.

Leadership remains one of the most important traits for a Notre Dame quarterback. The position requires someone capable of commanding the huddle, earning the trust of teammates, and performing in some of college football’s biggest games.

Notre Dame Quarterback Depth Chart

• CJ Carr (Sophomore)
• Teddy Jarrard (Freshman)
• Noah Grubbs (Freshman)
• Blake Hebert (Freshman)

CJ Carr

CJ Carr enters the 2026 season as the projected starting quarterback for the Fighting Irish and the centerpiece of Notre Dame’s future at the position. The Saline, Michigan, native arrived in South Bend as one of the most highly regarded quarterback recruits in the country and brings tremendous expectations to the program.

Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 215 pounds, Carr possesses the ideal combination of arm talent, football intelligence, and leadership ability. He has shown the ability to make accurate throws from the pocket while also displaying the athleticism needed to extend plays outside of structure.

Carr’s biggest strength is his ability to operate an offense with confidence. He has a strong understanding of defensive concepts, delivers the football with good timing, and has the arm strength necessary to attack all areas of the field.

The biggest reason Carr enters the season as the clear leader of the quarterback room is his combination of talent and upside. Notre Dame believes he has the potential to become one of the program’s next elite quarterbacks.

His biggest challenge will be managing the expectations that come with being the face of the offense. Consistency, decision-making against elite defenses, and the ability to perform in high-pressure situations will determine how successful the Fighting Irish can be.

If Carr continues his development, he has the talent to become a long-term star in South Bend.

Teddy Jarrard

Freshman quarterback Teddy Jarrard enters the Notre Dame program as an intriguing developmental prospect with significant long-term potential. The Kennesaw, Georgia, native arrives from North Cobb High School with impressive physical tools and the competitive mindset coaches look for at the position.

Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 207 pounds, Jarrard possesses excellent size for the quarterback position. His frame allows him to see over the offensive line while giving him the ability to generate power on his throws.

Jarrard’s biggest strengths are his arm talent and natural athletic ability. He has the tools necessary to develop into a complete quarterback as he gains experience within Notre Dame’s offensive system.

The biggest challenge for any freshman quarterback is adjusting to the speed and complexity of college football. Improving his understanding of coverages, defensive adjustments, and timing will be critical during his development.

While immediate playing time may be difficult with Carr leading the room, Jarrard has the talent to become an important piece of Notre Dame’s future.

Noah Grubbs

Freshman quarterback Noah Grubbs brings another highly regarded young arm to the Fighting Irish quarterback room. The Lake Mary, Florida, native arrives from Lake Mary High School with impressive credentials and significant upside.

At 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, Grubbs has the ideal physical profile for a modern college quarterback. He possesses strong arm strength, good pocket presence, and the ability to make difficult throws down the field.

One of Grubbs’ biggest strengths is his ability to create explosive plays through the passing game. His natural throwing ability gives him the potential to develop into a high-level quarterback within Notre Dame’s system.

Like many young quarterbacks, his biggest focus will be improving consistency and learning the mental side of the position. Reading defenses, understanding protections, and making quick decisions will determine his development timeline.

Grubbs gives Notre Dame another talented quarterback prospect with the potential to compete for the starting job in future seasons.

Blake Hebert

Freshman quarterback Blake Hebert adds another talented option to Notre Dame’s young quarterback room. The Boxford, Massachusetts, native joins the Fighting Irish after playing at Brunswick School in Connecticut.

Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 216 pounds, Hebert brings a strong build and impressive physical presence to the position. His size allows him to handle pressure while operating effectively from the pocket.

Hebert’s strengths include his competitiveness, accuracy, and ability to make plays when the offense needs a spark. He has shown the ability to command an offense and continues developing the skills necessary to succeed at the collegiate level.

His biggest challenge will be competing against several talented quarterbacks while learning Notre Dame’s offensive system. Additional practice repetitions and experience will be critical to his growth.

With continued development, Hebert has the opportunity to become a valuable contributor for the Fighting Irish.

Overall Evaluation of the Quarterback Room

Notre Dame enters the 2026 season with an exciting quarterback room built around the future of the program. CJ Carr gives the Fighting Irish a talented sophomore quarterback capable of becoming the face of the offense, while Teddy Jarrard, Noah Grubbs, and Blake Hebert provide impressive young depth.

The biggest strength of the group is its long-term potential. Notre Dame has recruited multiple quarterbacks with the physical tools and competitive qualities necessary to succeed at the highest level of college football.

Carr provides the immediate stability, while the freshmen quarterbacks give the program confidence that the position will remain strong for years to come.

Quarterback Room Grade: A-

The Fighting Irish earn an A- at quarterback entering the 2026 season. CJ Carr gives Notre Dame a potential star at the position, and the young talent behind him provides outstanding developmental depth.

The only question is the lack of extensive experience throughout the room. However, the overall talent level and recruiting pedigree make this one of the most promising quarterback groups in college football.

Conclusion

Quarterback play will play a major role in determining Notre Dame’s success during the 2026 season. CJ Carr enters the year with the opportunity to establish himself as the next great Fighting Irish quarterback, while Teddy Jarrard, Noah Grubbs, and Blake Hebert provide a strong foundation for the future.

Notre Dame has assembled a quarterback room filled with size, talent, and long-term potential. If Carr takes the next step and the young quarterbacks continue developing behind him, the Fighting Irish will have the stability at quarterback necessary to compete for championships throughout the 2026 season and beyond.