Talented 2027 QB Trae Taylor talks Notre Dame football interest, connection with CJ Carr

Before he even took a high school football snap, Trae Taylor put himself on the Notre Dame football program’s radar. It began with the 2027 quarterback participating in one of the program’s evaluation prospect camps last June and continued with returning for the Pittsburgh game on Oct. 28 and another visit in the spring.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder from Mundelein (Ill.) Carmel Catholic already reports a dozen scholarship offers. A few of his early favorites are Michigan, Purdue, Illinois and NC State. He hopes to add offers from Oklahoma, Ohio State, UCLA, USC, and, of course, Notre Dame.

Taylor’s interest in getting in front of the Fighting Irish coaching staff begins with his admiration for their third-year head coach. The other points have fallen into place from there.

“Definitely Coach Freeman,” Taylor told Blue & Gold at Prep Football Report analyst Tom Lemming’s Chicagoland showcase on Sunday. “It’s just the atmosphere around it. I’ve always been attracted to Notre Dame because of its education, and I know what they can do for me after football, too.

“Finally, me just getting on campus has attracted me even more. It’s always been a school in the back of my mind. Now, it has come to life.”

The Irish do not typically offer high school prospects until March 17 of their sophomore year. In the last four years, each St. Patrick’s Day has sparked an offer spree for the program’s Pot of Gold Day recruiting event. A strong sophomore season could have Taylor in contention for one next spring.

“The quarterback coach, Coach Gino (Guidugli), has already told me he wants to see my sophomore film,” Taylor said. “Once I am able to get my sophomore film, they could pull the trigger on an offer.”

Trae Taylor talks connection to Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr

Taylor already has more than one connection to the Irish. He played on the same 7-on-7 team (Sound Mind Sound Body) as freshman quarterback CJ Carr. Taylor had a close look at just how special of a quarterback Carr was early on.

“The first time I ever saw CJ, I don’t know why, but we were having a friendly competition,” Taylor said. “I was always like, ‘CJ, I can spin the ball better than you.’ We were out there having fun. I didn’t know about Lloyd Carr or anything. I was just having fun with him.

“Then, I came to find out after practice, coach told me who he really was. We’ve grown from there.”

Although Taylor did not observe practice on his trip to South Bend this spring, he did hear a positive review of Carr’s performance.

“Somebody who was there that was able to watch him said CJ looked amazing,” he said. “I was super happy to hear. I know a lot of people were doubting him, but I have always been one to say once he takes over a program, he is going to take it over and show everybody what he can do.”

Now, Guidugli will want to see what Taylor can do before he gets the same opportunity as Carr. In the meantime, he will anxiously await the staff’s feedback.

“Right now, I still want to make that connection,” Taylor said. “I want to get to know Coach Freeman a little bit more and continue to see what Notre Dame has in store for the future.”

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