Grandson of Michigan great Lloyd Carr picks N.D.

Notre Dame and Michigan have had a rivalry for years on the field and now the Irish can claim a unique recruiting win against the Wolverines as 2024 quarterback C.J. They were informed Thursday by Carr of his commitment.

Carr is the grandson of former Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr and the son of former Wolverines quarterback Jason Carr. He’s a 6-foot-3, 195-pound quarterback from Saline High School in Saline, Michigan, near Ann Arbor, and he will play his college football in South Bend, Indiana.

“I’ve been telling my family I’m going to Notre Dame since this last spring,” Carr told ESPN. “[This past] Sunday was when I told my father that there is no other way, and that I’m going Notre Dame. “

Carr received his first scholarship offers from Michigan and then Michigan State shortly after his last freshman football game. His father did not tell him Michigan offered at first, in an effort to let his son finish the season. He informed him of both scholarships after the Spartans accepted.

The summer going into his sophomore year, he took visits across the Midwest and Big Ten, and then really started to take his recruitment seriously once his sophomore season was finished.

“I took some spring visits and really after my spring visits I knew I wanted to go to Notre Dame,” Carr said. “My dad made me wait a bit longer so that I could see all that was out there and take advantage of all the opportunities that were available. We were supposed to travel down south after the Notre Dame camp. I was like, “Dad, Dad, I know where my heart is.” He allowed me to commit. “

Despite the ties to the Michigan program, his family has been supportive of him creating his own path and choosing the school that fits him best. His parents supported him throughout the process, but also allowed him to make his own decisions.

“This last visit [to Notre Dame] was when we brought my mom and two cousins,” Carr said. “We talked to [offensive coordinator] Tommy Rees and coach [Marcus] Freeman for about 15 minutes and my whole family was in love. They were beaming from ear to ear. “

Carr says his grandfather, who was the head coach at Michigan from 1995 to 2007 and coached the Wolverines to a national championship in 1997, was supportive and excited about his decision.

“He loves it. Carr stated that he bought him a [Notre Dame] shirt. He loves Coach Rees, Coach Freeman, and the things we’ve shared with him, and he’s really happy.” “I bought my dad a shirt that said Notre Dame Dad, but his grandpa’s shirt is only a Notre Dame shirt. “

It wasn’t easy to make this decision to go elsewhere from the school he grew up around, but Carr wanted to make sure he made his college decision for the right reasons and not just because his family has ties to a program. He chose Notre Dame because it was the best school for him, with the blessing of his family.

“Obviously Michigan is going to hold a close place in my heart forever, we’re a Michigan family. Carr stated that Michigan is the home of our family foundation, and will always be a special place in my heart. “But, I didn’t want to go to college close to my hometown and I wanted a chance to travel further. Notre Dame was the right spot for me, and I believe I have a chance there to do something special with the right people. “