Notre Dame Opens Fall Camp and Confirms CJ Carr as Starting Quarterback

Overview

• Freeman, speaking Tuesday, opened fall camp and named CJ Carr the starter, calling Carr an "X factor" who can diagnose defenses and limit negative plays.
• The coach said a January‑to‑August evaluation produced targeted "enhancements" to practice days, meeting structure and preparation to stop repeated September mistakes.
• Five players are ruled out to begin camp — Christopher Burgess Jr., Tiki Hola, Charles Jagusah, Peter Jones and Ko’o Kia — and several others start with modified activity but are expected to be targets to return by Week 1.
• The backup quarterback spot is unsettled with freshman Teddy Jarrard described as a realistic No. 2 candidate while Blake Hebert and Noah Grubbs split early reps.
• Notre Dame opened the $100 million‑scale Shields Family Hall and added Aaron Henry as co‑defensive coordinator, moves Freeman says will boost recovery, depth and defensive planning ahead of the Sept. 6 opener at Lambeau Field.