Is CJ Carr Related to Derek Carr? Family and Biography

Is CJ Carr Related to Derek Carr? No, CJ Carr does not have any relation with Derek Carr, who was an ex-NFL quarterback. Even though he shares his last name with him and both have established themselves in the game of football, they belong to different clans.

CJ Carr is currently the starting quarterback at Notre Dame and is the grandson of the great ex-head coach of the University of Michigan, Lloyd Carr. In contrast, Derek Carr hails from the California football family and is the younger brother of David Carr, an ex-NFL quarterback.

This misconception mainly arises due to the similarity in the last name of the two and their background in football. Let us learn more about CJ Carr and his family in detail here.

Table of Contents

CJ Carr Biography Overview

Category	Details
Full Name	Curtis Jason Carr
Popular Name	CJ Carr
Date of Birth	May 26, 2005
Age	21 years old as of October 2026
Birthplace	Michigan, USA
Nationality	American
Profession	College football quarterback
Current Team	Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Jersey Number	13
Position	Quarterback
Height	6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m)
Weight	Approximately 215 lbs (98 kg)
Father	Jason Carr
Mother	Tammi Carr
Grandfather	Lloyd Carr
College	University of Notre Dame
Brother	Tommy Carr
Relationship to Derek Carr	Not related

Is CJ Carr Related to Derek Carr?

No. There is no known family connection between CJ Carr and Derek Carr. The confusion about the family ties appears due to similar last names and the same position – quarterback.

Derek Carr is a younger brother of another former NFL quarterback David Carr. Brothers studied at Fresno State and played for professional teams from NFL.

CJ Carr is from another football family linked with University of Michigan. His grandfather, Lloyd Carr was head coach of Michigan Wolverines from 1995 to 2007 and brought team to national championship in 1997.

Thus, only last name and playing American football link CJ and Derek.

Who Is CJ Carr Related To?

Though there is no relation between CJ and Derek Carrs, CJ comes from famous Michigan football family.

His football relations include:

Lloyd Carr: Paternal grandfather and a former head coach of the Michigan Wolverines.
Tom Curtis: Maternal grandfather and former Michigan football player. Also he is inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Jason Carr: Father and former Michigan quarterback (1992–1995).

Such family ties made a significant part of CJ’s football upbringing.

CJ Carr’s Parents and Family Background

CJ Carr was born in Jason Carr and Tammi Carr’s family. His father played football at University of Michigan being mostly a backup quarterback.

Tammi Carr, CJ’s mother also studied in Michigan. Such connections of family with this university remain significant for CJ’s football upbringing.

CJ has two brothers, Tommy and Chad. His younger brother Tommy became a footballer too and chose to study at Michigan. Such choice makes an interesting contrast to CJ’s choice of Notre Dame.

Also, family has some connections to the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation named after CJ’s younger brother who died from rare childhood brain tumor in 2015.

CJ Carr’s Grandfather: Who Is Lloyd Carr?

Lloyd Carr is a prominent figure in Michigan college football. He was head coach of Wolverines from 1995 till 2007.

1997 year marked the pinnacle of Lloyd’s coaching career. That time he won national championship with Michigan Wolverines. Also, he took many Big Ten titles and made players who succeeded in NFL.

It is a significant factor of CJ’s football upbringing. Being from family connected with Michigan football, he grew up in such atmosphere.

Interestingly, CJ decided not to follow in his grandfather’s and father’s footsteps and chose Notre Dame university.

CJ Carr’s College Football Career at Notre Dame

CJ Carr attended Saline High School in Michigan, where he became one of the most highly regarded quarterback prospects in his recruiting class.

He was a four-star recruit and received attention from several major college programmes. Despite his family’s Michigan connections, he committed to Notre Dame, joining the Fighting Irish in 2024.

During his first season, he appeared in a limited role before taking on greater responsibility as the team’s starting quarterback in 2025.

His first full season as a starter produced 2,741 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions across 12 games.

CJ Carr’s 2026 Season and Latest Performance

By 2026, Carr was already the starting quarterback for Notre Dame. His games have received national recognition owing to his precision, decision-making, and ability to score touchdowns via passing as well as running.

Through seven games, his 2026 statistics included:

Passing Yards: 1,639
Passing Touchdowns: 16
Interceptions: 1
Completion Percentage: 66.8%
Rushing Yards: 82
Rushing Touchdowns: 3

He has also been chosen for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 15 for 2026 in October in recognition of his performance among top upperclassman quarterbacks nationally.

The promising beginning has raised hopes regarding his long-term prospects and potential career in the NFL.

Derek Carr’s Family Background

Derek Carr is an American football player who made his professional career in football after his time in college football at Fresno State.

Derek was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He then went on to play for the Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints.

David Carr, his elder brother, was the first pick in the 2002 NFL Draft and has played as a quarterback for several NFL teams.

Unlike CJ Carr, Derek and David are a part of the California football family which does not have any family relationship with Lloyd Carr’s Michigan family.

CJ Carr’s Net Worth and NIL Income

The personal net worth of CJ Carr has not been verified publicly. As a college athlete, he can earn money through NIL agreements, sponsorships, and partnerships.

The individual NIL income that he is earning has not been disclosed completely yet. Therefore, any figure for his net-worth online should be considered suspiciously.

He may get more business opportunities due to his increasing fame as a quarterback for Notre Dame.

Frequently Asked Questions About CJ Carr and Derek Carr

Is CJ Carr Derek Carr’s son?

No. CJ Carr is not Derek Carr’s son. His parents are Jason Carr and Tammi Carr.

Is CJ Carr related to Derek and David Carr?

No. CJ Carr has no publicly established family connection to NFL quarterbacks Derek Carr and David Carr. They share the same surname but belong to different families.

Who is CJ Carr’s grandfather?

His paternal grandfather is Lloyd Carr, the former Michigan Wolverines head coach. His maternal grandfather is Tom Curtis, a former Michigan football player.

How old is CJ Carr in 2026?

CJ Carr was born on May 26, 2005, making him 21 years old as of October 2026.

Why does CJ Carr play for Notre Dame instead of Michigan?

Despite his family’s strong Michigan connections, CJ chose Notre Dame because he wanted to attend a university away from his hometown and pursue his college football career independently.

Who is Derek Carr’s brother?

Derek Carr’s older brother is David Carr, a former NFL quarterback who was selected first overall in the 2002 NFL Draft.

What team does CJ Carr play for in 2026?

CJ Carr plays quarterback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He wears jersey number 13.

Conclusion

CJ Carr and Derek Carr are not related, despite sharing a surname and playing the quarterback position. CJ comes from the Michigan football family of Lloyd Carr and Jason Carr, while Derek belongs to a separate California football family alongside his brother David.

At 21 years old, CJ is developing his own identity as Notre Dame’s quarterback. His performances during the 2026 season have strengthened his reputation as an emerging college football talent.

Rather than being part of Derek Carr’s family, CJ Carr’s football story is closely connected to Michigan’s coaching history and his decision to create a different path at Notre Dame.