SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Junior quarterback CJ Carr was named to the 2026 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Watch List, recognizing the nation’s top upperclassmen quarterback, recognizing on-field excellence alongside leadership qualities.
Two Notre Dame signal-callers have won the award: quarterback Tony Rice in 1989 and quarterback Brady Quinn in 2006.
Carr, one of 27 quarterbacks named to the list, started all 12 games last year, finishing the season with 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns. His 24 touchdowns were tied for the most passing touchdowns in a player’s first 12 career starts at Notre Dame since 1966. With Carr behind center last season, Notre Dame ranked second in the country in scoring offense (41.8).
Among all returning Power 4 quarterbacks, Carr was first in yards per completion (14.06) and ranked second in yards per attempt (9.35) and touchdown rate (8.2%) last year. He was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List and Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List earlier this month.
The Saline, Michigan native threw a touchdown pass in all 12 games in 2025, the longest streak by an Irish quarterback since 2014. Carr totaled nine games with multiple touchdown throws a season ago while also rushing for three.