CJ Carr Impresses at Manning Academy, Drawing Tom Brady Comparisons

CJ Carr and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have excessive expectations heading into the 2026 season. After shedding 34-23 to Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes within the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship, Notre Dame was unable to make the playoffs underneath first-year starter Carr.

The 6-foot-3 quarterback was terrific as a freshman, finishing 66.6% of his passes for two,741 yards and 24 touchdowns, together with six interceptions. Being the grandson of former Michigan Wolverines head coach Lloyd Carr, the Saline High School graduate is used to the limelight. While at the 2026 Manning Passing Academy, the 21-year-old drew comparisons to a different former Wolverine.

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On The Ringer’s “The McShay Show,” hosted by NFL draft analyst Todd McShay, McShay was requested who was the MVP of the Manning Passing Academy, to which he gave a powerful reply: Carr. McShay described how Carr was head and shoulders above the remaining, was fluid but constant in his motions, and even drew comparisons to Tom Brady and Drew Brees.

“CJ Carr, Notre Dame,” McShay stated. “Wasn’t even shut. Wasn’t even shut. Julian Sayin was there, Arch Manning was there, there was loads of different guys that had been distinctive. And I say that, his efficiency in throwing the soccer was distinctive. That’s the jumping-off level…

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“…when you consider, like, (Tom) Brady and (Drew) Brees, and you consider the modern-day, like Mendoza final yr. Talk about repetitive, repeatable type, mechanics. I do not wish to say robotic as a result of he is not a robotic participant, however relating to footwork, timing, ball out. Just standing there, even watching him heat up…”