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Horace Greeley is credited with coining the phrase “Go west, young man” in 1865. The newspaper editor was, in part, complaining about East Coast rent prices when he advised Americans in their 20s to instead settle the nation’s vast, untamed interior.
Without that advice, there might not even be such a thing as Nebraska football.
Greeley’s advice is still applicable to some in 2022, and not just because rent’s too damn high. In this case, it should especially be heeded by Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara. Or as he is now known, former Michigan starting quarterback Cade McNamara.
There’s no way McNamara is pleased with the ascension of JJ McCarthy into the role. McNamara admitted he was surprised when Jim Harbaugh decided to start each quarterback once in Michigan’s first 2 games of the season. Now he’s probably steamed.
But McNamara is a team captain and a good soldier, so it’s unlikely he leaves Michigan for the transfer portal midseason. Plus, with McCarthy being a dual-threat QB, there’s a chance McNamara will be needed off the bench at some point this year. Running quarterbacks can get dinged up, whether for a series or a whole game.
As soon as this season is over, though, McNamara is as good as gone. All he will do in Ann Arbor is waste away on the bench.
When it comes to his future in 2023 and beyond, McNamara needs to look West. There’s no question the Reno, Nev., native will be courted heavily by hometown Nevada. And if that’s where his heart is, little is likely to prevent that.
But he also doesn’t have to go quite that far west. Especially if he wants a shot to prove Harbaugh wrong in person. McNamara is the perfect fit for several Big Ten West programs in 2023.
Oh, the places Cade can go …
Illinois
Current Illini starter Tommy DeVito is a 1-year stopgap for Bret Bielema. And McNamara is perfectly suited for what Illinois wants to do on offense — run the ball, a lot, with just enough passing to keep the box clean for its running backs.
That’s pretty much the precise blueprint Michigan used in 2021.
Bielema historically values quarterbacks who can manage a game and avoid making critical mistakes. A quarterback like McNamara figures to be among the many things that make him salivate.
Iowa
Do we really need to explain why McNamara would be a good fit for the Hawkeyes?
Iowa recently received a commitment from Class of 2024 quarterback Andrew Ivins, but could use someone for that bridge season. And it would sure help if that bridge quarterback was good enough to show Ivins he can continue entrusting his future to Brian Ferentz.
But it would likely prove harder for Iowa to convince McNamara it’s the right fit for him rather than vice versa.
Minnesota
Tanner Morgan, who stayed in Bronko Nagurski’s dorm room on his official visit, is finally leaving Minnesota next year. Unless PJ Fleck promotes him directly to quarterbacks coach. But either way, Morgan won’t be playing.
The Golden Gophers are as close to a carbon copy of the Wolverines as McNamara can find. It starts with the high-energy coach who — and this is meant in the nicest way possible — is a bit of a weirdo. The Gophers love to mash opponents with a gigantic offensive line and an infinite assembly line of running backs. And Fleck’s program has built a stout defense the past couple seasons.
You know he’d love to have McNamara rowing Minnesota’s boat next year. And it definitely creates a possibility of McNamara facing his old team in the Big Ten title game.
Purdue
What if McNamara has Uncle Rico aspirations of playing for a coach who will just let him sling it all over the place?
Then the West he seeks is West Lafayette.
Aidan O’Connell’s career at Purdue comes to a close this season, and Jeff Brohm might want another veteran to replace him.
Of course, Brohm has previously preferred developing his own guys, so the transfer portal might not interest him. But given that he added a pair of Iowa wide receivers this offseason, it’s clear Brohm is open to taking Big Ten players who catch his eye. Like Charlie Jones and Tyrone Tracy, McNamara could be a guy who transitions well into playing a new offensive style.
Wisconsin
Another self-explanatory destination. Wisconsin is Game Manager U.
Granted, there’s a chance Graham Mertz solidifies his hold on the job this season. Through 2 games, Mertz is fourth in the Big Ten with a 68.1% completion percentage and 9.5 yards per attempt. As his relationship with new offensive coordinator Bobby Engram develops, Mertz might unlock the potential he demonstrated in his 2020 debut against Illinois.
And even if Mertz has an average season and decides to stay in Madison, McNamara might find himself in another unwanted QB competition. This move will only make sense if the Badgers are definitely seeking to move on next year.
Alex Hickey is an award-winning writer who has watched Big Ten sports since it was a numerically accurate description of league membership. Alex has covered college football and basketball since 2008, with stops on the McNeese State, LSU and West Virginia beats before being hired as Saturday Tradition's Big Ten columnist in 2021. He is an Illinois native and 2004 Indiana University graduate.