Notre Dame might’ve fallen just short in 2024. But don’t mistake that runner-up finish for a plateau. Marcus Freeman and the Irish are gearing up for 2025 like a program locked on closing the deal. And while the talent pool remains deep, it’s the QB room that’s drawing in the most talks. Steve Angeli’s portal exit cut the QB race from three to two, leaving behind redshirt freshman CJ Carr and sophomore Kenny Minchey to fight for the top job. Combined, they have just three career passes. That’s it. But one name is already starting to separate itself from the dilemma. 

Irish Illustrated’s Tim O’Malley hopped on the Cover 3 Podcast on May 23 with Bud Elliott to preview Notre Dame’s 2025 season while dropping his stance on the QB room. And per the insider, CJ Carr might not just win the job; he might take Marcus Freeman’s squad to the promised land. “If CJ Carr finished this season with this schedule 11-1, they’re going to the playoffs,” he said. “I think if CJ Carr can settle in those first two games, goes 2-0, the sky’s the limit because he’s their best passer since Jimmy Clausen in terms of pure passing ability. He’s stronger than Clausen… Carr’s faster than that… I think Carr is your standard everyday good college athlete at quarterback.” Now that’s a bold stamp from someone who’s watched this program for years. 

Sure, CJ Carr isn’t the most athletic QB Notre Dame’s had. There were players like Tyler Buchner, for instance. But he checks the boxes Marcus Freeman needs. “He’s so competitive,” he said. “That’s the thing about CJ: he’s smart, athletic, he’s talented, but he’s competitive. And those are things that are hard to measure.” In short, the 6’3, 210-pounder is a modern mold—lean, efficient, and born with baseball DNA that lets him throw from angles even Patrick Mahomes would admire. 

The Notre Dame staff isn’t hiding their admiration either. “CJ got great arm talent and is a natural leader,” QBs coach Gino Guidugli said. This player was a top-50 prospect nationally and the No. 6 QB in his class, making him the Irish’s highest-rated QB since Brandon Wimbush in 2015.

Notre Dame opens with a bang in 2025, a probable top-10 clash with Miami, then a bye, then Texas A&M at home. If CJ Carr can walk out unscathed, South Bend could be in the playoff conversation again. But there’s a cloud forming over Marcus Freeman’s playoff path. 

Marcus Freeman’s CFP disadvantage confirmed with USC’s decision 

While the Irish may be surging in talent, the exit of the Notre Dame-USC rivalry could kneecap their strength of schedule, and Marcus Freeman knows it. The historic series that dates back to 1926 may come to a screeching halt after 2025. USC’s move to the Big Ten in 2024 has complicated scheduling, and the Trojans reportedly declined an offer to continue the matchup in 2026. That’s no small blow for ND. 

As analyst Brent Rollins puts it, “USC’s in the Big Ten. Now they’ve got to worry about playing the Big Ten [schedule]. As much as their fans love the rivalry, that’s another possible L on their schedule. Notre Dame, of course, wants to play it because they need it. They need it for their schedule to look relevant in a way.” That’s the conundrum. As an independent program, ND has to build a playoff-worthy resume. The Trojans were a cornerstone, but without them, Marcus Freeman’s path to the CFP just got murkier. 

In a year where CJ Carr may finally give Notre Dame its most complete QB, the Irish will have to work double time off the field to schedule like a playoff team. Marcus Freeman’s chance is now.