Quarterback CJ Carr is using Notre Dame's exclusion from the College Football Playoff last season as added motivation for the next campaign.
"It just fueled our fight to start it all over again and run it back," Carr told On3's Chris Low. "It wasn't enough last year even though we felt like we could have done some damage in the playoff. We've carried that with us all offseason. There are no excuses. We're not going to leave it in anybody else's hands this year."
The Fighting Irish were held out of the CFP despite posting a 10-2 record, which included 10 consecutive victories following a pair of narrow losses to Miami and Texas A&M. However, the selection committee opted to vault the Hurricanes into the playoff field over the Irish in the final rankings.
Notre Dame's team captains then chose to turn down an opportunity to play in a bowl game after missing out on the playoff. Carr, who wasn't a captain last year, says that there was solidarity throughout the roster regarding the decision.
"We voted those captains for a reason, and those are the guys that we put the team's trust in," Carr said. "So, we were going to support the decision they made."
Expectations for Carr and Notre Dame are high ahead of the 2026 season. The Michigan native experienced a breakout campaign as a redshirt freshman in 2025. He passed for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions while completing 66.7% of his throws. Carr is considered an early Heisman Trophy candidate and has drawn buzz among NFL scouts as a potential first-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft.
The 20-year-old standout exits Notre Dame's spring practice sessions as the unquestioned starter, unlike last year, when he earned the title during preseason camp after winning a competition against Kenny Minchey.
Despite the departures of running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price to the NFL, head coach Marcus Freeman is confident that Carr won't have to shoulder too much of the load on offense. Wideouts Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse headline Notre Dame's talented receiving corps.
"We were very explosive on offense last year and will be again this year," Freeman said. "CJ's not going to have to do it alone."
