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Newsstand: J.J. McCarthy named among top juniors in CFB for 2023

Anthony Broomeby:Anthony Broome•04/09/23•

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Michigan football has a star quarterback in soon-to-be junior J.J. McCarthy, but he has the chance to take the next step in his development in 2023. McCarthy has been named an honorable mention at the quarterback position by Bleacher Report in the category of the best juniors in the country at each position.

USC star Caleb Williams takes the top spot as the potential – and likely – No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But the B/R rundown believes that McCarthy could be right there with him in the national pecking order.

“In his first season as the starter, J.J. McCarthy helped Michigan win a second successive Big Ten crown and return to the College Football Playoff,” Bleacher Report writes. “He threw for 2,719 yards at a quality 8.4 per attempt with 22 touchdowns to five interceptions, also running for 306 yards and five scores.”

Backup quarterback Davis Warren believes the hype, saying after the spring game that McCarthy has been on point throughout the offseason.

“Just playing on time, playing in rhythm, taking what’s given to him and not forcing things,” Warren said after the spring game. “Surgical is the best way to describe it. He knows where he is going with the football and is super decisive with it. That really impressed me. I think some credit goes to coach [Kirk] Campbell. He’s done a really good job of kind of helping us play on time and playing with rhythm.

“I think that’s the biggest thing going in the year is just if we keep doing what we’re doing, I think QBs as a whole had a really good spring and just keep doing what we’re doing. It’s gonna be scary.”

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Harbaugh knows as well as anyone that doesn’t guarantee success. But Michigan is well-positioned to make another run at the Big Ten championship and national title. His players are intent on achieving the latter more than anything, and aren’t shy about it. Nebraska transfer linebacker Ernest Hausmann said it’s talked about constantly, and that Harbaugh has laid out the goals in plain sight.

It’s hard to argue with the Michigan coach’s bold proclamation. There’s talent and depth at about every position, and this is likely the best coaching staff he’s assembled, from both an on-field and recruiting standpoint. The culture is strong, too, and players like senior running back Blake Corum have been looking for reasons to stay rather than opportunities to leave.

– The Wolverine’s Clayton Sayfie on Jim Harbaugh saying Michigan’s 2023 team could be its best yet

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