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Newsstand: J.J. McCarthy climbing list of 2024 NFL Draft QBs

Anthony Broomeby:Anthony Broome•09/11/23•

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Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy has been out to a big start to the 2023 season through the air, which could position him for an early selection in the 2024 NFL Draft if he decides to declare. USC’s Caleb Williams and North Carolina’s Drake Maye are considered the top two options, but the race for QB3 is wide open.

The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner has McCarthy and Texas signal-caller Quinn Ewers as two risers he’s spotlighting this week, and also singles out quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell for the push McCarthy got this offseason.

McCarthy, meantime, has played much lesser foes (East Carolina and UNLV), but he’s been nearly perfect. His decision-making is faster, and his understanding of what Michigan’s offense is doing — even when Jim Harbaugh’s not in the stadium — has been outstanding. He’s gotten stronger compared to last season, too.

Like Ewers, accuracy and footwork consistency from a stable pocket were areas of needed improvement for McCarthy this offseason. So far, he looks to have made some big strides. He throws the corner route as well as anybody in America, and his ability to leave the pocket without losing his downfield vision is also toward the top of any list.

Steve Sarkisian and his QB coach, A.J. Milwee, deserve credit for pushing Ewers. Perhaps as big a pat on the back should go to new Michigan QB coach Kirk Campbell, who did great work with McCarthy this summer and has the junior seeing the field much better.

McCarthy is 48-for-55 (87.3%) so far this season with 558 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.

Tweets of the day

Michigan quote of the day

“Credit to Michigan and the roster that they’ve built. Really, top to bottom an impressive group. They’re built in a way that they play to their players’ strengths. They’ve got a really solid squad in every area: offense, defense, and kicking.

Offensively, we didn’t win on the line of scrimmage today and then couldn’t get into a rhythm as the game unfolded. Defensively, we weren’t near tight enough in our coverage and really didn’t give ourselves a chance there. I felt early on, we got into some third downs defensively and weren’t able to get off the field. A step away, a little loose in our coverage, and our zone matchups not matching it up as quickly as we needed to defend and have contested balls.”

– UNLV head coach Barry Odom on Michigan’s performance in Week 2

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