A new report suggests Notre Dame may be looking to replace starting QB CJ Carr with the best quarterback prospect in the FCS this past season.
Freshman signal caller CJ Carr had a difficult task in 2025. First, he had to win a summer QB battle against Kenny Minchey. After he did, he needed to try to meet the standard set the year before by Duke transfer Riley Leonard. A senior who helped guide the Fighting Irish to the national championship game.
However, despite the difficult challenge, the Michigan native played well. Carr threw for close to or over 300 yards four times (2,741 passing yards). Had three and four touchdown days and finished the season with 24 touchdowns and just six interceptions. In 2025, he had a very nice passer rating of 168.1 and completed 66.6 percent of his passes.
Braden Atkinson stats: 65.8 completion %, 3,611 passing yards, 34 TDs, 11 INTs, 162.5 passer rating,
He surely did enough to be locked into the starting role next season. Or maybe not. According to Pete Nakos of On3, Notre Dame is one of five FBS schools that have interest in Mercer quarterback Braden Atkinson. The North Carolina native won the Jerry Rice Award, which goes to the best freshman in FCS each year.
While Carr will be a heavy favorite to be the starting QB for the Irish next season because he played well against better competition, Atkinson is a threat. The Bears QB threw for 3,611 yards last season, which included two games with over 400 yards and a 538-yard day against VMI. He also tossed 34 TDs to 11 INTs this past season.
If Notre Dame does land him, it will be interesting to see if there is an open competition for the starting job or if Atkinson needs to create one by being a standout in spring and summer practices.
