Skip to main content
michigan logo

Michigan football: Will J.J. McCarthy be in Ann Arbor past 2023?

Anthony Broomeby:Anthony Broome•05/11/23•

anthonytbroome

On3 image
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 29: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines leads his team out to the field against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

One of Michigan football’s biggest long-term storylines is the amount of time junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy will decide to spend in Ann Arbor. Some NFL Draft pundits believe that he could be a first-round pick in 2024, but has he shown enough there yet?

The Wolverine’s Anthony Broome and Clayton Sayfie discussed that on this week’s live show on our YouTube channel. Sayfe does not think it would take a major leap in production to prove he should be drafted early.

“I’m a little bit closer to 50/50,” Sayfie said. “I don’t necessarily think that he needs to take as big a leap [as Joe Burrow did in 2019]. If J.J. just shows that he is improved and is a little cleaner on some of the long throws and the passing game looks significantly better…I don’t think it would take a ton. Then he is going to turn into one of those guys. They draft a lot of times on attributes and traits. He’s got pretty good athleticism, he’s got a big arm and can make every throw. Mentally, he feels like a sure thing in that regard.

“I think he could go in the first round [in 2024], but it is really hard to say right now. It was hard to say on Blake Corum on Dec. 1 last year thinking there was no way he was coming back. Here he is coming back for Michigan this season. J.J. does feel like one of those guys [that would consider staying another year].

McCarthy started the final 13 games of the season for Michigan, throwing for 2,719 yards with 22 touchdowns and 5 interceptions and 70 rushes for 306 yards and 5 scores. McCarthy’s ability to create plays when things break down for Michigan is among the reasons he could be of interest.

“McCarthy seized the starting job from Cade McNamara in the second game of the season and didn’t look back, quarterbacking Michigan to its second straight Big Ten title and playoff berth,” Pro Football Focus says. “He thrives outside of the original play design. McCarthy’s five passing touchdowns outside of structure were tied with Maye and trailed only Williams and Bryce Young among Power Five quarterbacks. He needs to improve his consistency, as he had four games with sub-60 grades in 2022.”

Follow along with The Wolverine’s Michigan content

The Fort is a vibrant community and one of the most active message boards in college sports. You can be a part of that if you are not already for $29.99 through the start of next football season (8/31/23). The best insider content and a massive Michigan community await.

All of our shows on The Wolverine are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for live podcasts, content from the entirety of our staff, Michigan football and recruiting and more.

You may also like