Tommy Carr wasn’t supposed to be the story of Michigan’s game against Penn State.
The freshman quarterback entered Saturday’s game as Bryce Underwood’s backup, but after Underwood was benched at halftime, Carr took over and helped Michigan erase a 3-0 deficit to beat Penn State 21-18.
Carr completed 5 of 7 passes for 47 yards and rushed four times for 36 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown run with 2:58 remaining that gave Michigan a two-score lead.
But Carr’s connection to Michigan football goes well beyond Saturday’s game.
The freshman quarterback is the grandson of Lloyd Carr, the legendary Michigan coach who led the Wolverines to the 1997 national championship. He’s also the grandson of another Michigan football legend, Tom Curtis, who played safety for the Wolverines and holds the program’s career interception record.
Who Is Tommy Carr?
Carr is a true freshman quarterback from Saline, Michigan, who joined the Wolverines in 2026.
He stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 195 pounds, according to Michigan’s official roster. Carr was a four-star prospect coming out of Saline High School, where he was a two-year starter and led the Hornets to the state semifinals in both of his seasons as a starter.
During his two seasons as Saline’s starting quarterback, Carr threw for 5,247 yards and 64 touchdowns while completing 69.5% of his passes. He also rushed for 589 yards and 14 touchdowns. Carr originally committed to Miami (Ohio) before flipping his commitment to Michigan in November 2025.
He arrived in Ann Arbor with an impressive football pedigree, but he wasn’t expected to take over the Wolverines’ offense this early in his college career.
Why Did Michigan Bench Bryce Underwood?
Underwood entered the Penn State game as Michigan’s starting quarterback and team captain, but he struggled during the first half.
He completed 5 of 11 passes for 43 yards and threw two interceptions as Michigan managed just 80 total yards and no points before halftime. The Wolverines went into the locker room trailing Penn State 3-0.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham made the decision to turn to Carr after halftime. The move immediately gave Michigan’s offense a different look.
Carr wasn’t asked to throw frequently, but he used his legs to create plays, including a 22-yard run that helped set up Michigan’s second touchdown. The Wolverines scored three touchdowns after Carr entered the game and held on for the 21-18 victory.
Bryce Underwood Celebrated Tommy Carr’s First Touchdown
One of the more notable moments of the afternoon came after Carr scored his first rushing touchdown for Michigan. Rather than simply watching from the sideline, Underwood emphatically celebrated with his replacement.
The moment was particularly notable because Underwood is still Michigan’s team captain, and Carr’s opportunity came only after the coaching staff decided to make the quarterback change at halftime. Bleacher Report highlighted Underwood’s enthusiastic reaction as Carr celebrated the touchdown.
Whatever happens with Michigan’s quarterback situation from here is still unclear.
Tommy Carr Comes From a Michigan Football Family
Carr’s grandfather Lloyd Carr is one of the most recognizable names in Michigan football history.
Lloyd Carr spent 28 seasons with the Wolverines, first as an assistant and later as head coach from 1995 through 2007. He compiled a 122-40 record as Michigan’s head coach and led the program to the 1997 national championship.
Carr’s other grandfather, Tom Curtis, was a standout Michigan safety from 1966 through 1969. Curtis was a two-time All-American and finished his Michigan career with 25 interceptions, still the program record. He later played in the NFL and won Super Bowl V with the Baltimore Colts.
The family connection doesn’t stop with his grandfathers. Carr’s father, Jason Carr, was a Michigan quarterback from 1992 through 1995, and his older brother, CJ Carr, is the starting quarterback at Notre Dame.
What’s Next for Tommy Carr at Michigan?
Carr’s performance against Penn State immediately raises questions about Michigan’s quarterback situation. Whittingham has not committed to Carr as the starter for Michigan’s next game, saying after the victory that he wasn’t ready to say who would start against Indiana.
