The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1511544
18 THE WOLVERINE ❱ DECEMBER 2023 BY JOHN BORTON J im Harbaugh turned heads like Barry Sanders on a frenzied run when he declared it: J.J. McCar- thy, junior quarterback, is on the path to becoming the best-ever Wolverine to play his position at the Uni- versity of Michigan. It wasn't the first time McCarthy's head coach grew effusive with his praise. Before the season ever started, Harbaugh — cer- tainly in the discussion as one of Michi- gan's best QBs ever — likened McCarthy's leadership skills to NFL signal-callers Pat- rick Mahomes and Josh Allen. As Michigan rolled toward mid-No- vember undefeated, Harbaugh wasn't backing down. "Just enjoy the ability of J.J. McCarthy and the talent that he is as a passer, as a runner, as a leader," Harbaugh urged. "It doesn't come along every day, every year, every decade. Ever. I think he's truly the best college Michigan quarterback that we've ever seen. It's special to watch." When the going gets tough, Harbaugh noted, McCarthy keeps Michigan going. It's never tougher than on third-and- long for a quarterback. At one point in the season, McCarthy had completed 19 of 20 passes in third-and-7 or longer situ- ations. Almost perfect. Almost unbelievable. Heading into the Penn State showdown, he stood 33-for-44 throwing in third- down situations. "Judge a quarterback on third down," said Harbaugh, who should know. "Judge how his numbers look on third down, be- cause that's the money down. He's been lights out." Teammates see a difference in him this year. He's not the freshman with swagger but no seasoning, coming in to spell Cade McNamara and show off his spectacu- lar combination of on-the-money passes and defense-exasperating scrambles away from pressure. He's not even the sophomore who won the job, then won a dozen straight games as a starter, including Ohio State at Co- lumbus and the Big Ten Championship Game. He's better. More settled. More self- assured. More able to make this team his own and lead, according to one of the chief beneficiaries of McCarthy's arm. Senior wideout Roman Wilson, who entered the Penn State game with 10 touchdown catches — which was tied for fourth nationally — has witnessed and been enhanced himself by McCarthy's growth. "His confidence, his leadership, and his ability to understand the game, go through and execute better," Wilson assessed, when asked where the junior quarterback has improved his game. "It's him as a person, just growing and being a better leader of this team and a better person and friend. Just being more comfortable in this building." He's definitely set himself comfortably among the nation's best quarterbacks. McCarthy entered Game 11 of his season ranked No. 2 in the nation in both comple- tion percentage, at 76.2, and passing effi- ciency, with a robust 187.24 rating. His 18 touchdown passes tied him for 32nd, and his passing yards (2,194) 43rd — figures that could certainly be higher in a more pass-happy offense. He's also thrown a mere 3 interceptions all season, all in one game, and none in Big Ten action. Mc- Carthy's +17 touchdown-to-interception ratio (22:5) in 2022 was second only to El- vis Grbac's 1991 season (+19, 25:6), and entering the Maryland game, he was at +15 (18:3) this season. For McCarthy, however, the key number involves wins. Michigan has lost but once in McCarthy's 23 starts, a remarkable run. He has won over his head coach, his teammates, and a legion of others as well. THE BEST OF THE LEADERS J.J. McCarthy Becomes Elite Among Michigan QBs McCarthy said he doesn't care about individual awards, just team championships. As of Nov. 12, McCarthy had led Michigan to 22 wins in 23 games as the Wolverines' starting quarterback during the past two seasons. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN