J.J. McCarthy made 'clear' improvements, ex-Michigan TE Jake Butt says

J.J. McCarthy looked as good as advertised for Michigan in the win over East Carolina and it was due to “clear improvement,” according to former Wolverines’ tight end Jake Butt.

Watching the game, Michigan did not have to lean on the running attack of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. McCarthy piloted the offense and if he continues to rise up, the Wolverines could be college football’s best.

Butt joined Sirius XM Big Ten Radio to discuss.

“With Jim Harbaugh being out, I thought they were going to lean heavily on the run game,” Butt said. “That has been the history of Michigan. It’s easy, I think, the O-line is deep and experienced, best running back room in college football. I thought they were going to lean heavily on the run game. Here’s why I’d be encouraged if I was a Michigan fan. It wasn’t a dominating, rushing performance by your offensive line, your running backs. That’s no problem. 

“You can tap into that at any point in the season, but to see J.J. go do what he did to me, he confirmed the speculation of the offseason of clear strides, a clear step in the right direction, a clear improvement. He looks really really good and that dictates their ceiling, how good J.J. can be.”

McCarthy had an outing in his first time being the opening day QB1 in Ann Arbor. He finished 26-of-30 passing against the Pirates for 280 yards and three touchdowns. It ended up being the second-most completions of his career as well as the third-most passing yards.

“We’re 1-0, but we’ve got to go 2-0,” McCarthy told Peacock’s Lewis Johnson afterward. “That’s the only thing that matters. This game is great. We did a lot of good things, a lot of good things to learn from and get better at. But it’s on to Week 2.”

All of McCarthy’s touchdown passes went to Roman Wilson as he totaled 78 receiving yards as well. They clearly had a connection all day long and it’s something McCarthy said they’ve been brewing all summer.

“That vibe was cooking up all offseason,” McCarthy said. “We were working on it almost every single week, multiple times a week and it’s just amazing to showcase it to everyone.”

McCarthy is one of the biggest X-Factors in college football it seems. Michigan will go as far as he’ll take the team. 

The Wolverines remain at home Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET against UNLV.