Jim Harbaugh calls JJ McCarthy the greatest quarterback in Michigan, college football history

Michigan is heading to the College Football Playoff National Championship game after a 27-20 overtime victory against Alabama.

According to Jim Harbaugh, quarterback JJ McCarthy is the reason his team has gotten this far. In fact, he made the boldest claim a coach could make about his QB1.

“The team was just not going to be denied,” Harbaugh said during the Rose Bowl postgame. “JJ said it when he walked off this same podium last year in the semifinal game. He said, ‘we’re going to be back.’ What he told me was not only are we going to be back, we’re going to win. And there he did. And in overtime against Alabama — I think the last quarterback to win in overtime against Alabama was none other than Tom Brady.

“I’ve said it before, but right here, this is the greatest quarterback in University of Michigan — college football history. Got a long way to go to get to get where Tom Brady eventually got to, which is the GOAT. He lapped the field when it comes to that. But in a college career there’s been nobody at Michigan better than JJ.”

McCarthy is 26-1 as Michigan’s starting quarterback heading into next Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship against the victor of the Sugar Bowl.

Since joining the program in 2021, McCarthy has compiled 5,865 passing yards, 46 passing touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He’s 2-0 against Ohio State and has led his Wolverines to two consecutive College Football Playoff appearances, and is now 1-1 in those matchups as a starter. Although, he’s looking to make that 2-1 next week and further solidifying his head coach’s sentiment.

During the Rose Bowl alone, McCarthy came up with the only three touchdowns that the Wolverines scored during regulation. He finished the matchup completing 17-of-27 for 221 passing yards and a seismic overtime win over Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide.

While Harbaugh’s statement can certainly be debated, it cannot be denied the fact that McCarthy has the best track record of any starting quarterback in college football today. He’s made three consecutive playoff appearances — meaning in every season he’s played in Ann Arbor, he’s been a part of the CFP. If he chooses to return, he can add to his lore in Ann Arbor.

If McCarthy chooses to return for his senior season and ends back up in the new extended CFP in 2024 — he’ll be the first-ever four-time