Michigan football fall camp update: passing game being emphasized so far

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Last Wednesday, Michigan football fall camp began, officially marking the start of the 2023 college football season for the Maize and Blue. Today, a few star Wolverines – such as JJ McCarthy and Zak Zinter – met with the media at Schembechler Hall to discuss camp and more. According to these two star offensive players, the passing game has been a significant focus during the early stages of fall camp.

Michigan football fall camp has been emphasizing the passing game

Everyone is well aware that Michigan football excels at running the ball — there’s been no doubt about that over the past few years. Nevertheless, one crucial area that the Wolverines needed to address before the 2023 college football season was the passing game, which has been less than stellar in recent years. Quite frankly, Michigan football has never been known for airing the ball out extensively.

According to JJ McCarthy (quarterback) and Zak Zinter (offensive line), both of whom spoke with the media earlier today, the Wolverines have been prioritizing the passing attack thus far during fall camp.

“I can promise you, we’ve passed the ball a lot these last couple practices,” Zak Zinter said at Schembechler Hall earlier today. “And the D-line has gotten a lot of work on their pass-rush moves. But it (the passing game) is a big focus this year. We know we can run the ball when we want to — even if they know we’re going to run the ball, we can run it. But the pass rush and passing, in general, has definitely been an emphasis for us this camp, and it’s been going really well for us.”

More chances for JJ McCarthy to shine during the 2023 college football season?

This is very exciting news for Michigan football fans as the 2023 college football season approaches. There is a heightened sense of anticipation, particularly because this season presents a significant opportunity for Jim Harbaugh to secure a national title as the head coach of the Wolverines.

“I feel like in order to get over that hump, in order to push through and bring out the most potential we have as an offense we’ve got to be balanced,” quarterback JJ McCarthy said of the Michigan football offense earlier today. “Whether you’re a human being, whether you’re an offense, the more balanced you are the more successful you’re going to be. I feel like that just opens up to different levels of attack and we’ve been working on it crazy.

“We’ve been more heavily focused on the passing game these first five practices so it’s been great to be able to get those reps and opportunities, but like you said we’ve got to be balanced. No matter what it is or how it gets there, we’re gonna get there.”

Tempering expectations while embracing the hype

As this year’s Wolverines are poised to achieve a more balanced offensive approach, JJ McCarthy pointed out that Michigan football fall camp has not yet progressed to full pads level. This might explain the team’s increased focus on honing the passing game in recent sessions.

“It’s just more reps at it (the passing game),” JJ McCarthy concluded. “I think right now, we’re not in full pads, it’s just mostly thud, wrap-up tempo, so we’re not really getting into the thick of the whole run game, so we’re just trying to capitalize on that opportunity for the pass game right now.”

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