Jim Harbaugh: Michigan quarterback play has been 'sharp'

On Sunday, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh named Cade McNamara as the team’s initial starter for the 2021 season. The key word there is initial, as true freshman J.J. McCarthy continues to push McNamara and could take over under center should the Wolverines struggle early. 

Thus far, Harbaugh is impressed with both of his quarterback options. 

“Of all the years, 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, et cetera. And that’s why I’ve said I don’t see him taking a knee or taking a breath.”

McNamara is the only quarterback on campus in Ann Arbor with experience as a Wolverine. As a true freshman, he went 43-for-71 for 425 yards, six total touchdowns and zero interceptions. 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. He started against Penn State the following week. 

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

The true freshman QB has impressed

While McNamara is QB1 for Michigan’s opener against Western Michigan on Sept. 4, McCarthy is on his heels. McCarthy played high school football at La Grange Park (Ill.) Nazareth Academy before spending his senior year at IMG Academy. He was one of the top quarterback recruits in the 2021 cycle and enrolled early this spring. 

Understandably, Harbaugh is high on the newcomer. 

“J.J.’s got the same traits [as McNamara], he really does,” Harbaugh said. “He’s off to a fast start and playing really well and improving as well. Improving on those abilities of you don’t have to win the whole game yourself, every single down. You need a guy that can distribute the ball to the big playmakers we have in the backfield and at the wide receiver position. He’s taken to that and his growth has been exponential in that way.”

In addition to McNamara and McCarthy, Texas Tech transfer Alan Bowman is now a member of the Wolverines’ quarterback room. Bowman is the most experienced of the group with 16 career starts, 5,260 yards, 33 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. 

Does Harbaugh need a quarterback to save his job?

Harbaugh has infamously struggled with developing a quarterback during his time at Michigan. Prior to returning to his alma mater, Harbaugh coached Andrew Luck at Stanford and both Colin Kaepernick and Alex Smith in San Francisco. 

While Shea Patterson and Jake Rudock – transfers from Ole Miss and Iowa, respectively – were decent college quarterbacks, Harbaugh has yet to find an elite signal caller. The teams legitimately competing for national championships in recent years have had a top-notch quarterback, and while Harbaugh’s recruiting at the position has been pretty sound, he has failed to fully develop a star.

After a dismal 2-4 season in 2020, Michigan reworked Harbaugh’s contract, and he is being given one last shot to turn around a program that had the highest of hopes for their former quarterback.