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College Football

Michigan football: Grading JJ McCarthy as a starting quarterback

Adam Biggers

By Adam Biggers

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It was bound to happen, and the past 7 starts have proven that JJ McCarthy is the quarterback of the present — and future — for the Michigan Wolverines.

The sophomore is 7-0 as a starter this season, serving as a main reason why UM is No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings, No. 4 in the Associated Press poll and 8-0 overall for just the second time under coach Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines have a great chance of moving to 9-0 on the season and making McCarthy just the second Michigan QB to win his first 8 starts within a season since Wilton Speight went 9-0 in 2016.

Should McCarthy go 10-0, he’d set a Harbaugh-era QB record.

Needless to say, McCarthy — despite some hiccups and learning moments — has blossomed into a true star for Michigan, already landing on the Davey O’Brien midseason watch list.

McCarthy’s demeanor, style and on-field mannerisms conjure fond memories for Harbaugh.

“Play your game. There’s nobody that loves that game more than I do,” Harbaugh said back in early October. “He’s better than me — but I mean, he reminds me of a young Jimmy Harbaugh.”

High praise from a coach known for molding quarterbacks. For the first time, Harbaugh has a full-fledged QB he can call his own. Not a transfer. Not from a previous coach’s class. McCarthy was recruited and developed, in full (in terms of college level), by Harbaugh’s staff. Sure, Cade McNamara was in the same boat, but McCarthy has taken over and appears able to reach levels of stardom in Ann Arbor beyond that of McNamara.

Following Michigan’s 29-7 home victory over Michigan State, McCarthy responded to questions about rivalries, big games and tense/emotionally charged environments. He’s already speaking like a true veteran and seems keenly aware of what’s at stake with each passing week.

“Yeah, I mean, we’ve had multiple, numerous teams come in here just yapping their mouth,” McCarthy said, per Wolverines Wire. “And we just like to come back with action. We don’t like talking back with words. That’s just all extra stuff. We just want to do what we do.”

So far, Michigan has done just that.

And so has McCarthy, who has put up uniquely impressive numbers that surpass all other QBs of the Harbaugh era at Michigan.

Per a Michigan release, on drives started and finished by McCarthy, the Wolverines score 91.9 percent of the time while in the red zone (34-for-37). Additionally, UM has scored 29 touchdowns and 15 field goals during 64 McCarthy-led possessions — that comes out to scoring points on 68.8 percent of drives.

His 8.7 yards per attempt ranks No. 24 in the nation and he’s No. 13 in passing efficiency (164.5). According to Pro Football Focus, McCarthy’s NFL passer rating sits at 115.1, putting him No. 12 among qualifying quarterbacks.

Despite being No. 12 in passing yards per game among Big Ten QBs, McCarthy has done nothing but move the ball and produce points — evidenced by the above numbers. Though he’s only thrown for 1,464 yards, he’s completed  an FBS-leading 74.6 percent of his passes and has only thrown 2 interceptions (one was a late heave that had no bearing on the outcome).

Grading JJ

Presence: B+

For the most part, McCarthy has looked rather comfortable in the pocket and stands tall in his delivery. Deliberate and smooth, he’s only going to continuously improve throughout the season. Remember, Michigan’s passing game has leaned toward the more conservative side during the Harbaugh era. Once the passing finally opens up to full capacity, look for McCarthy to launch more downfield.

He definitely has the receivers to make things happen.

Mobility: A

McCarthy has been clocked at 4.5 in the 40-yard dash, so he’s pretty quick on his feet. He’s no Denard Robinson or Michael Vick, but McCarthy has wheels and can easily evade tackles. There is a downside, though: At 6-3 and 197 pounds, he’s lanky and could be prone to injury if he’s on the end of a few booming hits from a 245-pound linebacker or 270-pound defensive end.

He has high-end — but not elite — speed for a quarterback, helping lead to 3 50-yard rushing efforts this season.

Decision-making: B

It’s been evident in a few games: McCarthy has to work on his touch on the longball and avoid overthrows. He’s made a few choices, usually when choosing to extend plays, that have likely made the coaching staff hold its collective breath and hope for the best. Luckily, for Michigan, McCarthy has only thrown 2 picks this season, though he’s tossed at least 5 or 6 balls that could have been plucked.

Bottom line: Waiting to give him A’s across board

Overall, McCarthy has been sound and continues to learn on a weekly basis. He has solid statistics, an unblemished record as a starter and looks like he’s taking control of a legitimate national contender. He is clearly the quarterback Michigan needs for the next 2-3 seasons — and if this season has been any indication, McCarthy could end up as one of the best to flow through Ann Arbor.

Seven starts aren’t enough to crown anyone as anything, but McCarthy’s on-field production through the first 2/3 of the college football season simply can’t be ignored. He’s on his way to easily perching atop the Harbaugh-era QB pecking order at Michigan — but that might just only be the next rung of his climb.

McCarthy, at his current clip, could develop into one of the best QBs in the country by this time in 2023.

“He’s just soaking it all in like a sponge,” Harbaugh said on the Inside Michigan Football Radio Show back in mid-October. “Really doesn’t make the same mistakes twice. You can make the case it’s all a learning experience when you’re starting for the first time, but he’s handling it extremely well.”

Adam Biggers

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