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Michigan football: Taking a look at true freshman QB JJ McCarthy

Adam Biggers

By Adam Biggers

Published:

Launching missiles, dodging defenders, making jaw-dropping plays — that’s what Michigan true freshman QB JJ McCarthy has done through the infancy of his promising collegiate career.

He’s only attempted 14 passes, but he’s completed 9 of them and thrown a pair of 50-yard-plus TDs to WR Daylen Baldwin. He rushed for a TD during the Wolverines’ 38-17 stomping of Wisconsin at Camp Randall, finishing the game with an absurd 900.4 QB rating.

McCarthy has been good when called upon by coach Jim Harbaugh. He’s been flashy. He’s been steady.

He’s definitely a part of Michigan’s offensive plans this year and obviously isn’t redshirting.

The 6-foot-2, 197-pound 5-star recruit has the makings of a star QB, that much has been demonstrated.

And while Cade McNamara, a redshirt junior, remains the top option for the Wolverines, it still doesn’t hurt to examine McCarthy’s ascent. He seems comfortable transitioning from high school to college.

“I’d say it’s similar in a lot of ways, except for I’m playing against 23-year-olds and 24-year-olds — like grown men out here,” McCarthy said during a recent media session, with his eyes doubling in size as he mentioned the age of his competitors. “Defensive and offensive schemes are definitely a lot more complex … but it’s been all things that are adaptable. I’m really having fun with it, honestly. It’s the same game that I’ve been playing since the 1st grade, and it’s been awesome so far.”

In his first appearance, McCarthy completed 3 consecutive passes against Western Michigan. He missed his next 2 but ended up connecting with Baldwin for a 69-yard TD, setting the McCarthy hype train in motion.

Fans and media couldn’t believe their eyes. Michigan’s next superstar was right there, in front of them, and they couldn’t wait to see more of what he had to offer.

Appreciative of the support, McCarthy said he made sure to contact a group of fans that painted “I (heart) JJ” on their chests during a recent game. He’s aware of the fanfare but remains committed to being a part of the team, not standing out as a fan favorite.

The humility is there.

So is the self-awareness.

He has the same attitude as when he arrived in Ann Arbor.

A quick start and recognition hasn’t gone to his head.

“What I’m taking out of these last couple of weeks is that … this team atmosphere that’s going on in this building right now is really special,” he said, later noting the brotherhood in the locker room. “And I haven’t been here in the past years, but I know that  — at least I assume — that it’s definitely different this year.”

McCarthy has gone above and beyond expectations, often having off-schedule workouts with teammates. He’s hoping that he can get more teammates involved in his early-morning workouts — 4:30 a.m., to be exact.

He didn’t burn rubber against Wisconsin, but he did rush 3 times for 7 yards. A 6-yard rush on 2nd-and-7 in the second quarter set up an 8-yard gain by RB Hassan Haskins, so McCarthy did his part in pursuit of a fresh set of downs. His lone pass attempt was a 56-yard TD dart to Baldwin.

In preparation for Northwestern on Oct. 23, and the rest of the rigorous B1G schedule, it’s entirely likely that Michigan will continue to work more with McCarthy, getting him ready to see more designed-run plays and passing attempts. He’s been eased in to the mix through 6 weeks, so don’t expect a heavy dosage of McCarthy unless absolutely necessary: injury or underperformance on the part of McNamara.

It’s not JJ Time quite yet in Ann Arbor, but he’s making all the right moves toward fulfilling his destiny as Michigan’s star quarterback.

Adam Biggers

Adam Biggers brings his expertise on the Michigan beat to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @AdamBiggers81.