J.J. McCarthy is a top-10 returning QB for the 2023 football season
J.J. McCarthy entered the 2022 season as the backup to Cade McNamara, but coach Jim Harbaugh gave both signal callers a chance to win the job.
McCarthy started Week 2 against Hawaii under the lights and he never looked back. The then-sophomore gun slinger went 11-for-12 through the air for 229 yards and three scores against the Rainbow Warriors. After the game, Harbaugh told the media McCarthy was the starting quarterback for Michigan.
McCarthy led Michigan to an undefeated regular season with big wins against rivals Michigan State and Ohio State. He helped the Wolverines win the Big Ten Championship game against Purdue, and make it to the College Football Playoff.
The dual-threat quarterback ended the season throwing for 2,719 yards, 22 touchdowns through the air, and five interceptions. He also ran for 306 yards and five scores on the ground.
After the season he had, Pro Football Focus ranks McCarthy as the No. 8 returning quarterback for the 2023 football season.
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. He thrives outside of the original play design. McCarthy’s five passing touchdowns outside of structure were tied with Drake Maye and trailed only Caleb Williams and Bryce Young among Power Five quarterbacks.
USC quarterback Caleb Williams was ranked first on the list. There were no other Big Ten quarterbacks on the list other than McCarthy.
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