Adam Rittenberg Nov 4, 2026, 09:00 AM ET

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College football reporter; joined ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- CJ Carr 's teammates and coaches at Notre Dame talk about him with an air of reverence.

"CJ is definitely elite," wide receiver Jaden Greathouse said.

"Really, really, really smart," wide receivers coach Mike Brown added. "The challenge for us in our room is we've got to match that."

"A lot of our coaches say he's the best quarterback they've been around to get in the right checks and right calls," offensive tackle Guerby Lambert said.

A program like Notre Dame doesn't go 38 years without a national title because of one reason or one position, but quarterback play is certainly a major part of the equation. In Carr, the Irish believe they have the man who can take them to the top. Through eight games, he ranks No. 8 nationally in QBR with 18 touchdown passes, one interception and 66.7% completions.…