Notre Dame Freshman QB Grubbs Looks to Fast-Track Career

Early enrollee aims to make impact in crowded QB room

Mar. 3, 2026 at 10:04pm

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Freshman quarterback Noah Grubbs has enrolled early at Notre Dame to get a head start on learning the playbook and competing for playing time. With the starting QB job up for grabs after the 2025 season, Grubbs wanted to get on campus as soon as possible to put himself in the best position to potentially earn the starting role in 2026.

Why it matters

Notre Dame's quarterback situation is in flux heading into the 2026 season, with starter CJ Carr the only experienced option. Grubbs' early enrollment gives him a chance to get a jump on the competition and potentially position himself as the next starting QB for the Fighting Irish.

The details

Grubbs, a consensus four-star recruit, made numerous visits to Notre Dame's campus before officially enrolling in January as one of a handful of early enrollees. He knew the Irish would have an opening at quarterback after the 2025 season, with Carr, Blake Hebert, and fellow freshman Teddy Jarrard all vying for the job. By getting on campus early, Grubbs is hoping to master the playbook and get acclimated to the college game before spring practice.

  • Grubbs enrolled at Notre Dame in January 2026 as an early enrollee.
  • The 2025 season saw Notre Dame's starting QB job up for grabs, with Carr, Hebert, and Jarrard all competing for the role.

The players

Noah Grubbs

A 6-foot-4, 209-pound freshman quarterback who enrolled early at Notre Dame to get a head start on the 2026 season.

CJ Carr

The returning starting quarterback at Notre Dame, who will be the clear leader of the QB room in 2026.

Blake Hebert

A redshirt freshman quarterback at Notre Dame who will be competing with Grubbs and Jarrard for playing time.

Teddy Jarrard

A freshman quarterback who will join the Notre Dame roster in June and also compete for the starting job.

Marcus Freeman

The head coach of the Notre Dame football team, who has emphasized that success requires struggle for young players like Grubbs.

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What they’re saying

“Coach Freeman says there's never success without struggle. You can't succeed if you're not going to struggle. It's not just all going to be success, success, success the whole time.”

— Noah Grubbs, Freshman Quarterback

“He processes information really quick, which you need as a quarterback. He's always willing to put the extra work in. He's put in the work. The work will pay off.”

— Devin Fitzgerald, Freshman Wide Receiver

What’s next

The Notre Dame coaching staff will closely monitor Grubbs' progress throughout spring practice as he competes with Hebert and Jarrard to potentially earn the backup role behind Carr in 2026.

The takeaway

Grubbs' early enrollment at Notre Dame demonstrates his commitment to fast-tracking his development and seizing any opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback job. His willingness to put in the extra work and embrace the challenges of the college game could pay dividends as he looks to make an impact in a crowded QB room.