Jim Harbaugh explains why he ranks JJ McCarthy ahead of Tom Brady in list of best Michigan quarterbacks

Jim Harbaugh compared JJ McCarthy to Tom Brady and even put his quarterback above the GOAT in Michigan history.

As to why he did that? Harbaugh had his explanation. McCarthy was flattered by the comparison and even keeps in touch with the Michigan and NFL legend.

But for Harbaugh, McCarthy is the best and he’s seen it up close.

“Tom’s been great to J.J. I mean, Tom and J.J. talk and communicate, and some great nuggets to J.J. Simply what I said was, exactly, was I think J.J. is the best college quarterback in the history of Michigan football — college quarterback,” Harbaugh said. “A long way to go to get to where Tom Brady is, which is the greatest of all time. 

“Tom Brady is the greatest football player of all time. He’s lapped the field. He’s lapped the field a full lap. J.J. has a long way to go to get to that. But in terms of who I think is the best college quarterback in the 144-year history of Michigan football. I’m nominating J.J. McCarthy. I’m not the maker of that list, but that’s my opinion.”

Jim Harbaugh doubles down on JJ McCarthy over Tom Brady

Harbaugh called McCarthy the greatest quarterback in Michigan and college football history. It might be biased, but at least at Michigan, it might not be a stretch.

However, McCarthy does not want to invest himself too much in comparisons.

“It’s a tremendous honor you know everything about Tom,” McCarthy said at CFP National Championship Media Day. “Like every aspect of his life, every aspect of his game you want to aspire to be like it. And I feel like me personally, I don’t like comparisons too much because we’re all individually unique. We all have our different traits or different aspects about ourselves that makes us special. 

“And you know, just hearing that it just kind of gives you that reassurance that you’re on the right path and you’re doing the right things and it means a lot. But at the end of the day, I don’t like to compare myself to anyone. I just like to go out there and you know, to be be the best version of myself.”

Being called the best quarterback in school history and maybe college football history by your coach could put a lot of pressure on one’s shoulders. McCarthy practically shrugs it off because you’d have to take the negative connotation with that assumption.

McCarthy will put it all on the line with Michigan as the Wolverines take on Washington in Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship.