The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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18 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MAY 2023 BY ANTHONY BROOME M ichigan football's spring practices came to a close on April 3, and now the work moves to a few months of prep before the start of fall camp. For junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy, it will be a continuation of applied lessons this spring. McCarthy went 7-for-10 passing for 84 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 inter- ception in the April 1 spring game. He started a bit shaky early on but found his stride before being pulled at halftime. McCarthy's work this spring is his first as the incumbent starter and the first time he has gotten spring reps in two years. Last year, a shoulder injury kept McCarthy sidelined from the com- petition between him and Cade McNa- mara. With the job now firmly in hand, there has been an ease about McCar- thy's approach this offseason. "It just feels like I have a solid founda- tion right now," McCarthy said during a spring press conference. "It's so much easier to grow upon that foundation when it's safe, secure and just being able to know where I'm at. "I'm not in my head as much. Every- thing is happening so effortlessly now. We still have fall camp to prepare for the season, and it's just going to do wonders for me. I can't wait to see how the season plays out because of it." McCarthy started the final 13 games a year ago for Michigan, throwing for 2,719 yards with 22 touchdowns and 5 inter- ceptions, and adding 70 rushes for 306 yards and 5 scores. FanDuel lists his Heis- man Trophy odds at +3000 for the 2023 season. This spring has been all about pushing his ceiling as far as it can go. Michigan's SOLID SOLID FOUNDATION FOUNDATION J.J. McCarthy, Kirk Campbell Help Raise The Level Of Michigan's QB Room McCarthy, a rising junior, went 7-for-10 passing for 84 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception in the April 1 spring game. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL