SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Freshman quarterback CJ Carr has been selected as a finalist for the Manning Award, honoring the top quarterback in college football.
Carr is one of 10 national finalists for the award, and one of just two freshmen. Carr is also a finalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year, and was also a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award, recognizing the top quarterback in college football.
One of the nation’s top quarterbacks, and one of the best freshman players in the country, Carr ranks fifth nationally in passing efficiency (168.1), sixth in yards per pass attempt (9.35) and sixth in passing yards per completion (14.06). This season, he has completed 195 passes for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns, also rushing for three touchdowns.
Nationally, Notre Dame ranks fifth in scoring offense (41.8), fifth in team passing efficiency (168.61), 10th in passing yards per completion (14.11), 17th in passes had intercepted (6), 18th in total offense (458.5), 18th in third down conversion percentage (0.481), 18th in rushing offense (203.4) and 20th in completion percentage (0.672).
Carr now has 12-straight games with a touchdown pass, which is the longest streak by a Notre Dame quarterback since Everett Golson from 1/7/2013 – 1/22/2014. Carr finished the regular season with 24 touchdown strikes, tying Sam Hartman and DeShone Kizer for the most passing touchdowns in their first 12 career Notre Dame starts since 1966.
Carr was recognized nationally in several instances for his Arkansas performance. in which Carr completed 22 passes for 354 yards and four touchdowns and posted the most first-half passing yards (294) by an Irish quarterback since 2008. He was named a Manning Award Star of the Week and Manning Award Quarterback of the Week, the Shaun Alexander Award Freshman of the Week, and a member of the Davey O’Brien Great 8.