Jim Harbaugh names Michigan starting quarterback

Jim Harbaugh has decided on his starting quarterback for 2021. Today, he named Cade McNamara as the starter for the Michigan Wolverines.

“Cade McNamara is our starting quarterback,” Harbaugh stated in a press conference. “Constant improvement. He’s ratcheted it up in a lot of different areas. Biggest one is consistency.

“Consistency of doing his job. Also, you can call it a talent of making everybody else around you better. Maybe that’s the most important job.”

Last season, McNamara was impressive for the Wolverines in limited action. As the starter, the quarterback completed 43 of 71 passes, accumulating 425 yards and five touchdowns.

As Harbaugh enters an all-important season in 2021, he believes McNamara gives Michigan the best chance to win this season. On the heels of the extension he received this off-season, the all-important decision for Harbaugh was to find the quarterback that could do that.

He believes Cade McNamara is that guy.

Harbaugh: Both Michigan Options Impressive

While Harbaugh named McNamara as the team’s starter for the 2021 season today, true freshman J.J. McCarthy made it a tough decision. Earlier this summer, the Michigan coach mentioned he was impressed with both his options at quarterback.

“The quarterback play right at the beginning has been really sharp,” Harbaugh said. “Both Cade and J.J. have really started fast, there’s been no lull coming out of the gates.

“Cade’s ahead and he’s got so many of those competitive traits, the ability to make all the throws, but also the ability to get the ball in other people’s hands, make others better. Probably the No. 1 job of a quarterback when it comes down to it, to be that point guard. So he’s on it, he’s on every detail.

“He’s on every facet of the leadership, etc. And that’s why I’ve said I don’t see him taking a knee or taking a breath.”

It’s easy to see how Harbaugh came to the decision to start McNamara, especially after reading his glowing comments on the quarterback from earlier this summer.

McNamara was the only quarterback on campus in Ann Arbor with experience as a Wolverine. His best game last season came against Rutgers, when he replaced Joe Milton during the second quarter and led a come-from-behind win in triple-overtime.

“His confidence is always something he carries on his sleeve,” said Ronnie Bell, one of Michigan’s top receivers.

On3’s Ashton Pollard contributed to this article.