Ad Disclosure
Jim Harbaugh compares JJ McCarthy to Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen
Published:
Jim Harbaugh had high praise for starting quarterback JJ McCarthy at Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis on Thursday.
He was asked about McCarthy’s progress as he enters his 2nd full year as Michigan’s starter. Harbaugh called him a “once-in-a-generation” type of talent and compared him to some of the NFL’s best passers.
“He’s a once-in-a-generational type of quarterback at Michigan, and his progress continues to grow,” Harbaugh said. “Daily he’s at the top of his game right now, really in all aspects. Everything that he does athletically, everything that he does throwing the football are at the elite level, and then I think the thing that makes him the most special, differentiating good and great, is that he’s willing to do anything for his teammates, anything for his team.
“I think some compare him to Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, would be two. And I know there’s others that have that level of talent plus the quarterback position willing to do anything for their team.”
The comparison was before McCarthy’s ability on the field but also for his leadership and how he interacts with teammates.
“I base that off of watching the way that Patrick Mahomes interacts with his teammates, what he says about his teammates, what they say about him,” Harbaugh added. “Josh Allen, what he says about his teammates, what they say about him. So just looking through the keyhole that way. But that’s what I see in J.J. McCarthy every single day.”
McCarthy led Michigan to the College Football Playoff last season. He completed 64.6% of his passes for 2,719 yards, 22 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He also rushed for 306 yards and 5 more scores on the ground.
If McCarthy can take another leap this season in his 2nd year as a starter, he would put Michigan in great position to get back to the College Football Playoff again in 2023.
Michigan will open the 2023 season against East Carolina on Sept. 2.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.