ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky is a big fan of J.J. McCarthy. Hell, I’m starting to think he’s as big a fan as some Michigan football fans after another great breakdown of McCarthy’s game.
As a quarterack guru of sorts for ESPN, it would be hard for Orlovsky not to be impressed with McCarthy. I’ve been pounding the table for months that he’s the best quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft. He can do it all. McCarthy is 6-foot-3, 219 pounds and has played in a pro-style offense.
Throughout his Michigan football career, McCarthy has routinely made NFL-caliber throws. He also made throws that I’ve only seen the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes make.
J.J. McCarthy draws more praise from ESPN analyst
Critics act like he was handled with kid gloves by the Wolverines coaching staff and that’s just not true. He completed 72 percent of his passes, was incredibly clutch on third down, threw the ball 61 MPH at the combine, and was clocked with the 5th-best three-cone time.
In a win over No. 2 Ohio State in 2022, on the road, McCarthy had three touchdown passes of 45 yards or more. He also added a touchdown run — and was a huge reason — probably the reason Michigan won the game.
McCarthy also had a dazzling touchdown pass to Roman Wilson against Ohio State this season. He shredded Michigan State and most other opponents so badly, he didn’t even need to play in the second half.
And when Alabama had Michigan on the ropes, McCarthy delivered a game-tying drive that was capped with a touchdown pass to Roman Wilson. People act like Michigan going 27-1 is a mistake or that it happened in spite of McCarthy.
No, it happened because of J.J. McCarthy, at least as much as anyone else. Orlovsky understands that and in a film breakdown for ESPN, he calls the Michgan football legend a terminator from the pocket. Enjoy.
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