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The Maxwell Award is one of the most coveted awards in college football. It recognizes the most outstanding player in the country evaluating their excellence on the field and exceptional contributions for the game. Yesterday, it was announced that Notre Dame starting quarterback CJ Carr was announced to the 2026 Maxwell Award Watchlist. 

The Saline, Michigan native has garnered a lot of preseason attention. Carr is the preseason favorite on outlets like FanDuel to win the Heisman Trophy. He's also one of the highest rated 2027 NFL Draft prospects and one of the top returning signal callers in the country. 

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. 

There have only been six Notre Dame players in program history to have won the award. Carr has the opportunity to be the seventh player to win the award. Their first winner was tight end Leon Hart in 1949 followed by half back John Lattner in 1952 and 1953. Linebacker Jim Lynch won the award in 1966 and defensive end Ross Browner won the award in 1977. There was a break then quarterback Brady Quinn won the Maxwell in 2006. Linebacker Manti Te'o won the award in 2012 and was the last winner from South Bend. 

Quarterbacks On The Maxwell Award Watch List 

Liam Szarka, Air Force
Noah Fifita, Arizona
Cale Hellums, Army
Byrum Brown, Auburn
DJ Lagway, Baylor
Maddux Madsen, Boise State
Bear Bachmeier, BYU
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California
Julian Lewis, Colorado
Nick Minicucci, Delaware
Caden Celtkamp, Florida Atlantic
Gunner Stockton, Georgia
Micah Alejado, Hawaii
Conner Weigman, Houston
Josh Hoover, Indiana
Caden Creel, Jacksonville State
Avery Johnson, Kansas State
Sam Leavitt, LSU
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, Marshall
Darien Mensah, Miami
Bryce Underwood, Michigan
Braxton Woodson, Navy
CJ Bailey, NC State
Anthony Colandrea, Nebraska
CJ Carr, Notre Dame
Julian Sayin, Ohio State
John Mateer, Oklahoma
Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
Dante Moore, Oregon
Rocco Becht, Penn State
Mason Heintschel, Pittsburgh
Kevin Jennings, SMU
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Arch Manning, Texas
Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
Brad Jackson, Texas State
Alonza Barnett, UCF
Nico Iamaleava, UCLA 
Jackson Arnold, UNLV
Jayden Maiava, USC
Devon Dampier, Utah
Owen McCown, UTSA
Demond Williams, Washington
Broc Lowry, Western Michigan  

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