Michigan football: J.J. McCarthy ‘taking advantage of every opportunity’
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy had to wait a year and a game before taking over starting duties for the Wolverines. Once he did, though, he wasn’t going to give it back.
It used to be rare that a first-year starter at quarterback would win a Big Ten title (before Ohio State’s incredible run, anyway). You could often go through the teams and often predict how a team would do given the experience they had there.
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For two consecutive years now, Michigan has won the title with a first-year starter under center. Cade McNamara helped lead the Wolverines to their first title since 2004 in 2021. A year later, McCarthy and Co. went undefeated through the schedule until the playoff, dominating most teams on the schedule.
Michigan offensive guard Trevor Keegan told us this spring McCarthy looked anything but a first-year guy, taking control in the huddle and remaining poised and confident. Even in the Fiesta Bowl, when he threw two pick-sixes, he regained his composure enough to lead a comeback. He’s got the “special sauce” that sets him apart, head coach Jim Harbaugh said this spring, and senior running back Blake Corum helped describe what that was.
“J.J. is a guy who takes advantage of every opportunity he has,” Corum said this spring. “He comes in and is the same guy every day — a guy that’s willing to put in the work and be the leader a quarterback is supposed to be.
“We see a guy that works not only in the facility but outside the facility. He’s a great leader in the facility and a great leader in life. Just having a good dude and great quarterback really helps the team.”
Especially when his mission is to win. You won’t find many more selfless than he is, Corum praised, and he fits with the change in culture that started when McCarthy first arrived on the Michigan campus.
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Give McNamara credit, too — he was a huge part of the turnaround — but McCarthy bought in immediately and fit perfectly with his teammates.
“Just the culture shifted big time,” Corum said. “The leaders, the older guys like [former Michigan linebacker] Josh Ross … people that were supposed to lead were leaders. Everyone bought in. It started in the locker room — everyone became one. There was no this group over here, that group over there. Everyone was one. We all talked, and everyone built a strong relationship.”
It carried over into practice, workouts, and “The Big House,” the Michigan back added.
“The culture, that was the main thing,” he said. “That’s what we were missing. We had the athletes. Just some of the small things we didn’t have.
“We built it to point where people know how to work. We have high expectations here now, and guys know if there is any BS, we’re going to call you out. The culture is stronger than ever.”
Including a Michigan junior quarterback in McCarthy who is proving to be more special each day.
