FOOTBALL

Michigan football: how high is JJ McCarthy’s ceiling?

Could the rising junior bring Michigan football its 12th National Championship in 2023?

Published

2 months ago

February 3, 2023

Matt W.

Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) passes against the TCU Horned Frogs in the fourth quarter of the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan football is in an excellent position heading into the 2023 season as they return a large portion of their production from a year ago. This return of production including crucial spots like the quarterback position. Specifically, JJ McCarthy for his junior season after a strong sophomore campaign.

As Michigan’s highest-ranked quarterback recruit since Ryan Mallett back in the class of 2007, McCarthy has had high expectations since he first stepped foot on campus. Following a 13-1 season in his first year starting, including a second straight Big Ten title and a trip to the college football playoff, many are projecting great things for the soon-to-be junior play-caller.

Just how good was McCarthy in 2022?

McCarthy did have a rough stretch in the heart of Big Ten play, as he averaged 148.0 passing yards per game during a four-game run from mid-October to November. Still, he played really well overall on the season and, honestly, as good as you can ask from a first-year starting true sophomore. Also, it should be noted that McCarthy by no means played terribly in that stretch, as the Wolverines went 4-0, and McCarthy was responsible for seven touchdowns compared to just one turnover.

For Michigan football to achieve its goals, they needed McCarthy to play better in the latter half of the season, and McCarthy delivered just that. In the season’s final three games, beginning with Michigan’s 22-point road victory in Columbus, McCarthy threw for 767 yards passing and eight touchdowns while adding another pair of scores with his legs.

Even in the lone loss of the season, a disappointing six-point decision in the Fiesta Bowl against TCU, McCarthy threw for a career-high 343 yards and nearly willed his team back to victory from 21-6 and 34-16 deficits. In the end, the offense scored 45 points, which was the eighth time the offense put up at least 40 points and should have been more than enough to secure the win.

McCarthy’s final stat line for the season was 208 completions on 322 attempts (64.6 percent), for 2,719 passing yards (8.4 yards per attempt) and 22 touchdowns with just five interceptions (4.4 touchdown/interception ratio). McCarthy achieved this without starting all 14 games and only attempted 16 passes through the first two games.

Where does his season rank in Wolverine history?

While compared to some of the gaudy numbers other quarterbacks have been putting up in college football over the past decade, McCarthy’s stats may not seem super impressive on paper. Still, he’s already made an impact on the Wolverine record book. McCarthy’s 2,719 passing yards are currently good for 8th all-time in a season by a Michigan football quarterback. In five of those seven seasons with more passing yards, a senior quarterback was responsible, and only one other (Chad Henne with 2,743 yards in 2004) was by an underclassman.

Even more impressively, his 22 passing touchdowns finished tied for 6th all-time in a season and fell just three shy of tying the school record. Elvis Grbac’s 25 touchdowns in 1991, the season in which he set the school record, is the only other time a quarterback has thrown for at least 22 touchdowns on less than 325 attempts. So not only was McCarthy efficient with the ball, but he was also responsible, as his five interceptions were the fewest in an entire season by a Michigan starting quarterback since Drew Henson had just four in 2000. That season, he threw over 100 fewer passes than McCarthy did last season.

McCarthy’s 4.4 touchdowns per one interception in 2022 finished as the highest TD/interception ratio in school history, dating back to 1906 when the forward pass was first legalized. Only two other quarterbacks finished a season with a ratio above 4.0: Grbac in 1991 and Henson in 2000.

What should be the expectation in 2023?

After what was arguably a top-five quarterback season in school history, how will 2023 look for McCarthy? Much of that depends on the moving pieces around him. Namely, how well first-year passing game coordinator and new quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell performs, along with a new look receiving core. Regardless, if McCarthy plays in at least 13 games next season, hopefully up to 15, then breaking every single-season passing record should be on the table.

While that may sound unfair or unrealistic, it should be noted that many of Michigan’s passing records are stuck decades in the past as twenty college quarterbacks would have broken the single-season yards record (3,331) this past season, and twenty-five would have set a new touchdown record as well.

While stats and records are great, the most crucial factor in a successful season for McCarthy will once again be the number of Wolverine wins. Especially victories in East Lansing, Happy Valley, and chiefly Michigan’s third straight over the Buckeyes for the first time since 1995-97. Not to mention another Big Ten title and the school’s first-ever playoff win.

No Michigan quarterback has ever won the Heisman trophy, and just three have even finished in the top five in voting (Bob Timberlake finishing 4th in 1964, Rick Leach finishing 3rd in 1978 and Jim Harbaugh finishing 3rd in 1986). Still, if McCarthy does lead the Wolverines back to the playoffs while setting a school record or two along the way, Michigan football could see a Wolverine quarterback in New York for the first time in nearly 40 years.

First, one game at a time, though. East Carolina is officially on the clock.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com or DM him on Twitter, @CJsWrld_.

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FOOTBALL

A new breakout player is emerging during Michigan’s spring practices

All Michigan fans need to know this kid’s name heading into the 2023 season.

Published

9 hours ago

March 21, 2023

CJ Mangum

Michigan football breakout player Tyler Morris

ANN ARBOR, MI — You may not have heard his name much just yet, but there is a key breakout player on Michigan’s offense during spring practices right now. As we turn the page to the 2023 season this fall, Tyler Morris is a name that all Michigan football fans need to be keeping an eye on.

Tyler Morris is standing out during the Wolverines’ spring practices

The Michigan football team is seeing a new standout right now: Tyler Morris, a rising sophomore wide receiver in the Maize and Blue. According to the coaching staff, Morris is on the rise as we head into the 2023 season in just a few short months. According to The Wolverine, Morris has been mentioned frequently as an up-and-comer thus far, and could have a breakout season this year. Here is what Morris had to say:

“I feel like it’s going good. For me, it’s just a lot more comfortable,” Morris told The Wolverine. “Last year, freshman year, you’re trying to figure everything out, [get to] know the offense. You don’t really know just how the program works completely. I was still trying to come back from my knee [injury] a little bit. This year I felt just more comfortable, used to things, knowing how it goes. Not as much trying to figure everything out.”

According to Morris himself, he has learned a lot from former standout receiver Ronnie Bell, who recently appeared at Michigan’s Pro Day in Ann Arbor. “I looked at him a lot, just being an older guy,” Morris said. “That’s what I’m hoping to do, step into the role he had last year and try to take what I learned from him and apply it to my game.

“I have no issue with blocking. That’s just part of the game. You can’t be a receiver and only expect to catch, score touchdowns, all that. Especially at our school … we have great backs. We’re going to run the ball, so you’d better be able to block. I feel like it’s a mindset, being physical and not being scared to go hit somebody.”

According to Morris, he loves being mentioned as a breakout candidate, but knows the job is never finished.

“It feels good to be noticed like that. For me, I’m kind of just proving it to myself,” Morris said. “That’s kind of where I expect myself to be, so it was nice seeing other people start to see me that way. I’m just looking forward to this year to go through it.”

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

FOOTBALL

Former Wolverines are clamoring over JJ McCarthy ahead of 2023

A few former Michigan standouts cannot say enough about JJ McCarthy’s talent.

Published

1 day ago

March 20, 2023

CJ Mangum

Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy

ANN ARBOR, MI — The Michigan Wolverines are heading into what should be a special season for the third year in a row. After winning Big Ten titles and making College Football Playoff appearances in 2021 and 2022, Michigan football is loaded and returning more production than many have ever seen from a championship team. Recently, during Michigan’s pro day ahead of the NFL Draft in April, starting quarterback JJ McCarthy had a chance to flash his skills in front of some scouts while throwing to combine players like Ronnie Bell.

According to former Michigan football players, JJ McCarthy is looking incredible heading into the Wolverines’ spring game on April 1st.

Ronnie Bell claims JJ McCarthy showed out at Michigan’s pro day

Here is what former Michigan football standout receiver Ronnie Bell had to say about the Wolverines rising junior quarterback during Michigan’s pro day:

“He was zipping that thing today,” Bell told The Michigan Insider. “Really, really fun. Especially throughout this whole little process, being gone, I’ve been not with him for so long. You almost take for granted how good he was. And then you come back and get to throw with him again. It’s like, ‘Oh my gosh. He’s really, really good.’

“The ball was coming, for sure,” Bell said. “He always threw it pretty good. Now he’s got even more touch and zip on it. So definitely a lot of fun and pretty to catch … He got better every play. Throughout every game, it was like as the game went on, he was growing and getting better. Watching him and watching him in practice, he just feels so comfortable and just so dialed-in on everything. Talking to him too about how the new offense is being oriented: He really likes it and is comfortable with it.”

“[J.J] knows how to time me up and throws a good ball, too,” former Michigan football tight end Joel Honigford said. “So it was nice to work with him opposed to somebody else just brought in that we would throw the first time today. J.J. is a good quarterback, and he set us up well for success. And it was nice for him, too.”

Michigan football could see even bigger and better from McCarthy this fall

According to JJ McCarthy himself, he is bigger, faster, and stronger right now than he ever has been before. Here is what McCarthy had to say about his current size and ability:

“I was playing at like 193 last year, now I’m around 207, 205,” McCarthy said. “Fluctuating in that range. Herb definitely did a good job and some outside influences for sure.

“It’s helping with my growth,” McCarthy said. “Bigger, stronger, faster. Every single year, just trying to improve those areas of my game. I don’t know how it’s gonna improve it, but I know it’s gonna be for the better.”

FOOTBALL

Michigan football has a unique workout program that has led to sustained success

Ben Herbert and the strength program is a massive reason Michigan has been so successful as of late.

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2023

CJ Mangum

Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines edge Mike Morris (90) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

ANN ARBOR, MI — Many of the best players and coaches in Ann Arbor, including head coach Jim Harbaugh, have cited Michigan’s strength and conditioning program as a main reason for the Wolverines’ recent success. Strength coach Ben Herbert has been a crucial part of Michigan football going from 2-4 in 2020 to winning back-to-back Big Ten titles in 2021 and 2022. Recently, former Michigan football star Mike Morris explained what makes the Wolverines’ strength program so impactful.

Mike Morris explains the unique Michigan football workout plan

During the 2023 Michigan football pro day, 2022 Wolverine star Mike Morris had a lot of high praise for Michigan’s strength program and strength coach Ben Herbert. As most know by now, the Wolverines’ strength and conditioning program has been cited as a key reason for Michigan’s quick turnaround and the program’s sustained success over the past two seasons. Just like many others in the building, Mike Morris is a huge fan of what Herbert has done with the Wolverines’ resources.

“Coach Herb would change stuff on purpose just to mess you up,” Morris told The Michigan Insider. “We have conditioning and he would, for instance, he’ll say, ‘Mike, pick a number one through five.’ And I’ll say, ‘three.’ He’ll pick every third guy and will tell them to go jump in the cold tub. And then they’ll go jump in the cold tub and then come out, and then they’ll start conditioning. He’ll do stuff like that where it’s like, okay, your back is up against the wall.”

“He’ll call a guy by random. ‘Pick a number 1-100.’ Somebody picks 100, and the 100th guy had to do OG chin holds and had to beat his time,” Morris said. “And he put Vaseline on the bar. So we were like, ‘Bro, you’re cheating!’ He was like, ‘No, he has an excuse. He has an excuse. So if he doesn’t make it, he can blame it on the Vaseline. If he does make it, he had conquered all the odds.’

“So that’s what he does. He lays out workouts for us to have an excuse. But if you’re a grown man, you’re gonna get the job done.”

“I feel like Michigan prepared me in the mental aspect of it,” Michigan football star Mike Morris said. “This place is run just like the NFL. I’d say we probably practice and hit more, but that’s probably the difference.

“Coach Herb just has us laser focused on what we need to accomplish. Not necessarily worrying about stuff like what the schedule is or what are we doing today, or if we have conditioning, what’s the conditioning? He has us so wired and so laser focused that anything and everything that comes in our way or even in life, anything comes in life, we can handle it.”