JJ McCarthy working towards making a major adjustment

JJ McCarthy had a solid bounce-back game, following a three-pick performance in Week 3, against Rutgers last weekend. Today, the second-year starting quarterback for Michigan football had a chance to break down a major adjustment that he is looking to make — one that would greatly benefit his football career and the Wolverines’ offense.

JJ McCarthy trying to make a key adjustment and avoid contact

The Michigan football coaching staff has labeled quarterback JJ McCarthy as a “hockey player” due to his love for contact. The Wolverines are now four games into the season, and finally, against Rutgers last weekend, it appears that McCarthy is starting to listen to the staff and make a major adjustment.

After taking a few tough shots during the first three games of the 2023 season, JJ McCarthy was found frequently getting out of bounds (against Rutgers) instead of lowering his shoulder and diving into contact. For McCarthy and Michigan football as a whole, this is a good sign of progress that should keep him healthy and ready to go.

“The running out of bounds thing is something that I’ve definitely been working on for my entire football career,” JJ McCarthy said on Monday. “And I finally listened wholeheartedly this past weekend, and I felt a heck of a lot better on Sunday, that’s for sure. So I’ll definitely carry that into next week.”

It’s also worth noting that McCarthy kept the ball a number of times last weekend for over 50 rushing yards during the win, only absorbing a few hits throughout the game.

Michigan football QB not shying away from getting hit entirely

While this is a good sign, JJ McCarthy says that — if the moment calls for it — contact is still very much on the table.

“On that third down — when I gotta get it, you best believe I’m gonna put my shoulder down and try and get it any way I can,” JJ McCarthy explained, referencing a first down he picked up against Rutgers by diving head-first into tacklers.

As Big Ten play continues, and the defenses start to hit even harder, Michigan football fans (and the coaching staff) will be hoping to see less of their star quarterback taking on contact. Sliding and running out of bounds is something that the junior QB needs to do more of in order to stay healthy and lead the Maize and Blue to a national title later this season.

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