Coaches reveal CJ Carr's leadership and linebackers' depth as Notre Dame builds for 2026 success. Spring practice insights unveiled.
Notre Dame's spring practice is in full swing and we're now one day closer to April 25 when the Blue Gold game kicks off. The team has yet to have a full padded practice, but unlike the first day out, we saw the team in shoulder pads today along with helmets. After practice today, we got to hear from quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli and linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary. We also got to hear from returning starting quarterback CJ Carr on what he's been improving on this offseason and his mindset heading into the 2026 season.
We also got to hear from the Notre Dame linebacking corps this morning after practice. The Irish return the most talented and deepest linebacking unit in the country from top to bottom with middle linebacker and captain Drayk Bowen leading the charge. Linebackers Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Jaiden Ausberry, Jaylen Sneed and Madden Faraimo also return who all rotated in and started last season. Both of these position groups will hold keys to a successful season in South Bend this fall.
You can watch the entire press conference here:
Here are some of the main quotes from today's press conference:
Gino Guidugli On CJ Carr's Leadership
"What's cool is CJ has the ability to touch everybody in the locker room," Guidugli shared. "There's a relationship with everyone. Defensively, offensively, there's a relationship involved with everybody and when you have that, you can confront people when they're wrong and demand that they do it right, because you're coming from a place where there is a relationship there."
Brian Jean-Mary On Working With Defensive Coordinator Chris Ash
"There was a lot of crossover film that I had a chance to watch of Notre Dame," Jean-Mary stated. "We had two common opponents last year and obviously three the year before. So it made it a little easier to understand what they were doing because we got a chance to watch Notre Dame on defense."
"There are some similarities from where I came from with Coach Ash’s pro background," Jea-Mary continued. "It makes more sense to me maybe than someone else that was coming from a different system. We’ve been able to communicate well; I can ask questions and Coach Ash asks the right questions when we’re in the meeting room. So we’ve been able to communicate very, very well."
CJ Carr On Going Into This Spring Without A Quarterback Competition
"It feels a lot different," Carr explained. "Going into the building every day not worried about a competition and really being able to focus on the details, what we're trying to do with each play and what we're trying to do on offense is a big help. I'm also able to lead and see a bigger picture and think about more people than yourself is nice. The goal is to hold yourself to a standard, and hold the team and your teammates to a standard and hope they do the same for you."
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