Former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr smirked and asked his grandson, “You wearing that sweatshirt?” “Yeah,” the grandson replied, smiling and donning a green sweatshirt with Notre Dame in white. On Wednesday, CJ Carr will sign a national letter of intent with a college football program, formally committing to play for the Fighting Irish.
With connections to the Michigan Wolverines, the former standout quarterback from Saline High School is the son of two College Football Hall of Fame grandfathers, Lloyd Carr and Tom Curtis, and a late brother whose fight with brain cancer prompted a foundation that has raised $27 million for research.
When CJ Carr decided to attend Notre Dame last year instead of playing for Michigan, five miles from his home, where his father, Jason, was a backup quarterback and met Tammi, his future wife, it created quite a commotion.
He told The Associated Press, “It was time for me to spread my wings a little bit and get a little further from home,” just before departing for South Bend, Indiana, to join Notre Dame for its Sun Bowl preparations.
Following his last recruiting trip to Notre Dame, CJ Carr felt so at home that he canceled scheduled visits to Alabama, Georgia, and LSU and told his family back home. Carr is currently the nation’s fifth-ranked high school quarterback.
“I said, `C.J., what do you think?,'” Lloyd Carr remembered enquiring. “He then declared, ‘Papa, I’m heading to Notre Dame.'” His father said, “Hey, wait a minute,” as he stood there. There are many topics for you to consider and examine.”
Still, the choice had been made, and those closest to him approved.
Lloyd Carr remarked, “I told everyone that if he’s happy, I’m happy.”
Carr finished his career with a 122-40 record in 2008 after leading the Wolverines to their final national championship in 1997. Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson ranks second with 18 interceptions, behind Curtis, who still owns the career record with 25 interceptions from 1967 to 1969 at Michigan.
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