SOUTH BEND — Notre Dame football’s trio of backup quarterbacks entered the 2026 season with zero college snaps to their credit.

That changed Saturday, Sept. 12 against overmatched Rice, when preseason Heisman Trophy candidate CJ Carr gave way to No. 2 quarterback Noah Grubbs with the Irish leading 49-0 at the 9:22 mark of the third quarter.

Here are three things to know about Grubbs, a freshman from Lake Mary, FL.

Is Noah Grubbs the tallest Notre Dame quarterback on this year’s roster?

No, he isn’t. At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Grubbs’ physical measurements are an exact match for fellow first-year signal caller Teddy Jarrard.

Both Carr and second-year man Blake Hebert are listed at 6-2 and right around the same weight: Carr tips the scales at 215 pounds while Hebert is listed at 216.  

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Did Noah Grubbs enroll early?

Yes, Grubbs was part of a school-record 24 January enrollees, which gave him a chance to learn the playbook, get settled into classes and go through a full set of spring practice sessions.   

Grubbs went 7-for-14 passing for 64 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the spring game.

Noah Grubbs has a strong arm and isn’t afraid to use it

In that regard Grubbs reminds quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli of a young Carr.

“CJ was the same way as a freshman,” Guidugli said in the spring. “I think you want a guy that's going to do that as opposed to someone that's going to go the other way and not trust it. … He has that mindset. I think he wants to be great.”

Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Three things to know about Notre Dame football freshman QB Noah Grubbs