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In a recent breakdown of the top 10 players in college football for 2026, FOX broadcaster Joel Klatt made a surprising selection for the nation's best quarterback. Rather than choosing Texas standout Arch Manning, Oregon's Dante Moore, or Ohio State's Julian Sayin, Klatt went with Notre Dame's C.J. Carr, a rising sophomore who impressed in his freshman campaign.
Carr's 2025 season saw him throw for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns, nearly guiding the Fighting Irish to a College Football Playoff berth, but they fell just short of the field. Klatt acknowledged the unconventional nature of his pick, expressing admiration for the other quarterbacks while explaining his excitement for Carr. "I love Dante Moore," Klatt said. "I really like Julian Sayin. I really like Arch Manning. But guys, I cannot contain my excitement for C.J. Carr at Notre Dame, so C.J. Carr is number three."
Klatt's Reasoning and the Statistical Debate
Klatt believes Notre Dame's offense will be more quarterback-centric in 2026, contrasting it with the previous run-based approach. He noted that the Irish were more explosive through the air than many realized and that Carr could have a breakout year. However, the choice is statistically questionable, as Carr ranked 51st nationally in passing yards last season, while Sayin threw for nearly 1,000 more yards, Manning recorded 3,163 yards and 26 touchdowns, and Moore posted 3,565 yards and 30 scores.
Notre Dame also faces significant roster turnover, losing key skill players like running back Jeremiyah Love and backup Jadarian Price. Additionally, only one player returns with double-digit receptions from the previous season. Klatt's rankings also feature another Irish player, cornerback Leonard Moore, as the second-best player in the nation behind Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith.
While Notre Dame last won a national championship in 1988 and reached the CFP final in 2024, Klatt's projections suggest the Irish could be poised for a special season if Carr and Moore live up to their billing. Only time will tell if the on-field results match Klatt's bold predictions.