Notre Dame Quarterback CJ Carr Named To The 2026 Davey O'Brien Award Watch List
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
It's the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the Davey O'Brien Award in college football which is awarded to the nation's top quarterback. Today, Notre Dame junior quarterback CJ Carr was named to the watch list along with 29 other signal callers across the country. The Saline, Michigan native is one of the most talked about quarterbacks returning this season and expectations are sky high for the 6-2, 215-pound signal caller.
Carr is coming off of his first year under center. He went 10-2 as a starter in 2025, threw for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns, six interceptions and rushed for an additional three scores. The 6-2, 215-pound signal caller is the first returning starter head coach Marcus Freeman has had during his tenure. Expectations for the Fighting Irish are sky-high coming into this year and Carr is a major driver of that conversation.
As a first year starter, Carr threw a touchdown pass in all 12 games last season which is the longest streak by a Notre Dame starting quarterback since Everett Golson in 2014. Out of the 12 regular season games he played in, Carr threw multiple touchdown passes in nine of those games while also rushing for three touchdowns.
Among all returning Power Four signal callers, Carr was ranked No. 1 in yards per completion (14.06) and ranked second in yards per attempt (9.35) and touchdown rate (8.2%). We've seen the Michigan native make big time throws on the big stage and the moment hasn't been too big for the junior quarterback. There's areas he will have to continue to improve, but he's projected to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country in 2026.
Notre Dame has had three different finalists for the Davey O'Brien award in program history. The first was Tony Rice in 1988 and in 1989. The second was quarterback Rick Mirer for his performance during the 1992 season. The last Davey O'Brien award finalist was Brady Quinn for his performances in 2005 and 2006.
Carr would be the first winner in program history and has already been named to several watch lists this season including the Maxwell Award Watch List and the Johnny Unitas Award Watch List. The Michigan native is also one of the favorites, preseason, to win the heralded Heisman Trophy and would be the program's first winner since 1987 when receiver Tim Brown won the award.
Three Notre Dame opponents had their starting quarterbacks listed on the watch list as well. BYU starter Bear Bachmeier, SMU starter Kevin Jennings and Miami transfer Darien Mensah were all named to the 2026 Davey O'Brien Award watch list.
——
Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more.
Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!
Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Follow me on Twitter: @TTrow5
Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos