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J.J. McCarthy fires shot at Ohio State when discussing block by teammate Donovan Jackson

Danby: Daniel Hager08/15/25DanielHagerOn3
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© Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

College football is all about heated rivalries. “The Red River Shootout” between Texas and Oklahoma, “The Iron Bowl” between Alabama and Auburn and “The Egg Bowl” between Ole Miss and Mississippi State are just a few that stand out. No rivalry, however, is as heated as the one between Ohio State and Michigan.

Every November, the two clash in “The Game.” In recent history, the matchup has been extremely important for College Football Playoff seeding and deciding which school will head to the Big Ten Championship.

School pride runs strong through both programs, so you better bet jabs will be thrown at any time. This was no different on Thursday, as former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw a toughness diss at the Ohio State program when discussing rookie center Donovan Jackson. Jackson played at Ohio State from 2021-24.

“I absolutely love it,” McCarthy responded when asked about a Donovan Jackson screen block in practice on Wednesday. “Us Michigan guys, we get a little skeptical about the mentality and tough guy-ness of Ohio State, but (Jackson) absolutely proved it. It was a sight to see and I just love how fired up he got after it and he’s going to be a great player.”

McCarthy never lost to Ohio State in three seasons at Michigan

McCarthy played in 40 games over three seasons for the Wolverines, where he passed for 6,226 yards, 49 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions. He also added 632 more yards on the ground along with 10 rushing scores. He went 3-0 in three games against Ohio State, with two wins coming as the starter. In Michigan‘s two wins over the Buckeyes in 2022 and 2023, McCarthy passed for a combined 411 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions.

The La Grange Park, IL native was named the 2023 Big Ten quarterback of the year and helped lead Michigan to its first National Championship since 1997 in 2023. He was then selected with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings, but did not play in his rookie season due to a torn meniscus.

While McCarthy was 3-0 in his career against Ohio State, his new center, Donovan Jackson, went 0-4 against Michigan. He, however, was a pivotal piece in the Buckeyes’ 2024 National Championship victory. He was selected by the Vikings with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and is expected to contribute right away as a rookie.