Comparing JJ McCarthy in 2022 to Cade McNamara in 2021

Heading into the 2022 Michigan football season, one debate seemed to be prevalent throughout the Ann Arbor community and beyond: who will be QB1? Sophomore JJ McCarthy and senior Cade McNamara appeared to be neck-and-neck one week into the season; however, McCarthy eventually pulled away with the job.

In hindsight, was it the right call? Let’s compare the two as starters. (Note: we are only using Cade’s 2021 season and JJ’s 2022 season.)

Comparing JJ McCarthy (2022) and Cade McNamara (2021)

Win/loss as a starter (regular season)

In 2021 — coming off of a piss-poor 2-4 campaign the year before — Michigan football shocked the nation as it made a historic run through the conference. The Wolverines beat Penn State (21-17) and Ohio State (42-27) en route to a division title and an 11-1 overall record. Cade McNamara was the starter for all 12 games, including Michigan’s 37-33 loss at Michigan State.

Cade’s record: 11-1

A year later, JJ McCarthy led the Wolverines to a perfect 12-0 start; 2022 was Michigan’s first 12-0 start since the 1997 National Championship squad. Though the Wolverines were undefeated heading into the College Football Playoff, McCarthy had only been named the starter in Week 2, meaning Cade McNamara still had a start last season. Because of this, the sophomore is 11-0 as a starter in regular season games. Unlike the 2021 team, Michigan football managed to beat Penn State (41-17), Michigan State (29-7), and Ohio State (45-23) en route to another division title.

JJ’s record: 11-0

Win/loss as a starter (postseason)

After the Wolverines knocked off Ohio State in 2021 (42-27) the Wolverines earned a spot in the Big Ten Championship game for the first time ever. Michigan’s last conference title was in 2004; however, the Wolverines routed No. 13 Iowa (10-2 overall, 7-2 Big Ten) and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff. Despite coming into the Orage Bowl (CFP semifinal) as the No. 2 team in the nation, the Georgia Bulldogs left Miami with a 34-11 win over Michigan.

Cade’s record: 1-1

In 2022, Michigan football won its second-straight game over Ohio State and again punched its ticket to the Big Ten Championship game. Like 2021’s title game, the Wolverines walked all over Purdue en route to a 43-22 win over the Boilermakers. Michigan again headed to the CFP as the nation’s 2nd-ranked team, and yet again, lost in heartbreaking fashion. This time, the Wolverines dropped the Fiesta Bowl to TCU, 51-45.

JJ’s record: 1-1

Comparing the stat sheets

Passing stats

In 2021, Cade McNamara completed 210 of his 327 passing attempts (64.2 percent) for 2,576 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions during the Wolverines’ historic season. McNamara’s best game was in Michigan’s loss to Michigan State, where he completed 28 of his 44 passes for 383 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

In 2022, sophomore JJ McCarthy completed 208 of his 322 pass attempts (64.6 percent) for 2,719 yards, 22 touchdowns, and five interceptions. JJ’s best game was also in a loss; McCarthy completed 20 of his 34 passes for 343 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions against TCU.

Rushing stats

Cade McNamara was not, is not, and will likely never be a mobile quarterback. That being said, he still ran the ball 37 times for 26 yards (0.7 yards per attempt) and one touchdown in 2021. His longest carry was for 20 yards.

Unlike McNamara, JJ McCarthy is an efficient ball-carrier and performed well on the ground in 2022. The Wolverines’ rising junior carried the ball 70 times for 306 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and five touchdowns. Additionally, McCarthy’s longest carry was for 39 yards in the Wolverines’ Playoff loss to TCU.

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