For those who don’t closely follow the FCS level of college football, this might come as a surprise: a Mercer quarterback is very good, good enough that Notre Dame is paying attention.
Meet Braden Atkinson: The FCS Star Turning Heads
Mercer freshman quarterback Braden Atkinson has officially entered the transfer portal, and his name is already drawing interest from several Power Four programs. According to his representative, Gabe Sheehan, Atkinson has received interest from Notre Dame, Syracuse, Baylor, Boston College, and Cal, as reported by On3sports.
Atkinson is coming off a remarkable freshman campaign in 2025, throwing for 3,611 passing yards and 34 touchdowns, production that would be impressive at any level of college football. His performance earned him the Jerry Rice Award, given annually to the most outstanding freshman in the FCS.
Mercer QB Braden Atkinson is drawing interest from Notre Dame, Syracuse, Baylor, Boston College and Cal, his rep @gsheen23 of @AiC_Athletes tells @On3sports.
He totaled 3,611 passing yards and 34 TDs in 2025. Also won the Jerry Rice Award, which is awarded to the most… pic.twitter.com/iEbSSQSCCj
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) January 4, 2026
Winning that award speaks volumes about both Atkinson’s ability and his long-term upside. He wasn’t just good for an FCS quarterback; he was one of the best players at his level, and only an 18-year-old freshman was doing so.
Notre Dame’s Interest is Valid
Notre Dame showing interest signals that Atkinson’s talent translates well beyond the FCS. The Fighting Irish are coming off a strong season under Marcus Freeman, and the quarterback room is currently led by CJ Carr, who had an excellent year in his first season as a starter.
Carr posted a PFSN QB Impact Grade of 85.9, ranking 23rd nationally, and helped lead the No. 8 offense in the country according to PFSN’s CFB Impact Score. With Carr entering just his redshirt sophomore season, there’s no guarantee he leaves early for the NFL; he could technically remain until the 2027 NFL Draft or stay later.
That raises the obvious question: Would it make sense for Atkinson to go to Notre Dame if he might have to wait two years to start?
In today’s version of college football, the answer isn’t black and white.
On one hand, Atkinson likely wouldn’t immediately overtake Carr on the depth chart. Carr has proven himself at the Power Four level and is firmly entrenched as Notre Dame’s starter. Waiting multiple seasons for a starting opportunity is a real consideration.
On the other hand, the transfer portal has changed everything.
Atkinson could view Notre Dame as a developmental stop, a chance to spend a year learning within one of the most prestigious programs in the country, practicing against elite competition, and improving his game under top-tier coaching. If Carr decides to use up more of his eligibility, Atkinson could always re-enter the portal after a season with his stock potentially even higher.
Importantly, he wouldn’t need to make that decision immediately. He could spend the year in South Bend, assess the situation late next season, and then determine whether staying or transferring again makes the most sense.
A Win-Win Opportunity
Whether Atkinson ultimately becomes Notre Dame’s quarterback of the future or uses the Fighting Irish as a springboard to another opportunity, the situation sets up well for him. Learning in a high-level environment, competing with elite talent, and having flexibility in a modern college football landscape makes Notre Dame an attractive option.
For a freshman-turned-sophomore with a Jerry Rice Award on his résumé and unlimited potential ahead of him, this is exactly the kind of leap that makes sense.
A Mercer quarterback drawing national attention might surprise some fans, but Braden Atkinson has proven that elite talent can come from anywhere. Now, the Power Four is taking notice before it’s too late.
