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Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy can be “the best,” says teammate

JJ McCarthy is earning high praise ahead of the 2023 season.

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Nov 19, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) gets set to run a play in the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy carries enormous expectations for the 2023 season as the Wolverines aim to secure a third consecutive Big Ten title, College Football Playoff berth, and more. If the Maize and Blue aspire to overcome formidable opponents such as Georgia and Ohio State en route to a national championship this fall, their success will heavily rely on the performance of Michigan’s rising junior quarterback. Following the Wolverines’ spring game in April, fellow quarterback Davis Warren expressed his admiration for Michigan’s former five-star QB commit.

Michigan football QB JJ McCarthy can be the best in college football, says teammate

Davis Warren eagerly anticipates witnessing JJ McCarthy’s progression throughout the 2023 season. After the Wolverines’ spring game in April, Warren showered McCarthy with high praise.

“The best,” Warren told Blue by Ninety and other reporters when asked about how good McCarthy can be this year. “Even into fall camp last year, he was just kind of getting his bearings back under him, and really finding traction, and this year, it’s like, how good could he be? You know, how good could he be? And he knows that, and we all know that as a room, and we’re gonna do everything we can to support him and put him in the best position to be successful, and all compete with each other to push him and challenge him and make him the best guy he can be.

“Like coach (Kirk) Campbell says, the room is all out there with him,” Warren continued. “It’s not just him out there, we’re all out there with him, and he’s just kind of the face of it, so that’s really how we feel about it.”

McCarthy and the Wolverines have national title caliber expectations in 2023

JJ McCarthy is being touted as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate for the 2023 season. During the 2022 season, he proved that he was deserving of his five-star rating. Now, the Wolverines are relying on McCarthy and the Michigan football offense to elevate their performance to the next level in their pursuit of the program’s first title since 1997.

“I think, just the level of competition every single day,” Davis Warren said of this year’s Michigan football team. Like we go at it, like the offense, the defense, special teams; we’re getting after it every single day, you know, we’re pushing each other, making each other better. We’re getting in each others’ faces sometimes, you know, just the competition is so high, from the starters to the backups to the threes, that I have no doubt that if we can put it all together this fall, we can be as good as we want.”

Big things appear to be on the horizon for Michigan football QB JJ McCarthy as the 2023 season approaches. The Maize and Blue have come close to claiming a title for two straight seasons but fell just short both times. This season, expectations are sky-high for the Wolverines, and JJ McCarthy is poised to take the program to the next level, perhaps even competing for titles with the likes of Alabama and Georgia in the years to come. At least, that is Jim Harbaugh’s goal for the program.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, 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 PodcastsSpotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

FOOTBALL

Michigan football offense could lean on “freak athlete” against Nebraska

When the Michigan football offense takes the field against Nebraska this weekend, keep an eye on this “freak athlete” for the Wolverines.

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Oct 15, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Colston Loveland (18) runs the ball in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

When the Michigan football offense takes the field against Nebraska this weekend, keep an eye on tight end Colston Loveland. After last week’s win over Rutgers, Jim Harbaugh said that the “cat is out of the bag” when it comes to Loveland being a “freak athlete,” and when playing a Big Ten West team like the Cornhuskers, the Wolverines may choose to lean into what Loveland brings to the table.

Michigan football offense could lean on “freak athlete” against Nebraska

Michigan football has a special talent in tight end Colston Loveland, who first broke out as a true freshman in 2022, and has since become a nationally touted weapon for the Maize and Blue. After the Rutgers win, Jim Harbaugh explained that the “cat is out of the bag” when it comes to Loveland’s impact on the offense.

“Colston Loveland — and I’ve been thinking this for well over a year now — he’s really great,” Jim Harbaugh said. “Freak athlete and a team guy all the way in every way. So I think the cat’s out of the bag. … He doesn’t know how good he can be. He doesn’t know how good he is. I kind of always thought maybe the longer it takes him to figure that out, the better off he’ll be. But the cat’s out of the bag.”

Loveland could see an increased role during Big Ten play

This weekend, when Michigan football heads to Lincoln, NE, Colston Loveland may find himself as a focal point of the Wolverines’ offensive attack. The Cornhuskers have the nation’s No. 1 rushing defense, meaning JJ McCarthy should get ample opportunity to air it out on Saturday; seeing as Big Ten games are underway, the tight end room is expected to be more involved throughout the rest of the season.

“But he’s a true whatever — let’s say it the way Jack Harbaugh (Jim’s father) would say it — ‘He’s a foot-ball-player.’ And there’s nothing better you can say about somebody or give them more of a compliment than to say they’re a foot-ball-player,” Harbaugh said.

So far this year, Loveland — Michigan’s “freak athlete” at tight end — has caught 14 passes for 168 yards. As the season goes on, it sounds like Michigan football is gearing up to call his name more and more.

Against Nebraska this weekend, keep a close eye on No. 18 when the Wolverines’ offense takes the field, especially now that it’s clear that he and JJ McCarthy have a special connection.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher 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 streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Michigan football cornerback Will Johnson details the latest on new transfer

Yesterday, Michigan football standout Will Johnson detailed the latest on transfer Josh Wallace.

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Sep 2, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Josh Wallace (12) blocks a pass to East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Ryan King (11) in the first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Due to injuries and a need for depth, transfer portal addition Josh Wallace (from UMass) has been thrown into action quite a bit so far this fall. On Tuesday, we caught up with Michigan football cornerback Will Johnson — a sophomore — during his media availability at Schembechler Hall. There, the second-year Michigan standout detailed how Wallace is fitting in and more.

Michigan football cornerback Will Johnson gives the latest on Josh Wallace

According to Will Johnson, Josh Wallace is fitting in well with Michigan football so far.

“He’s a great cornerback,” Will Johnson said of transfer Josh Wallace. “I’m glad we got him because it’s definitely a place we needed somebody, and he’s very physical, great ball skills. You saw that pick (against ECU) he should have had week one. So yeah, he’s a great player. I’m excited to see what he does the rest of the year.”

New transfer portal addition brings experience and more to the table

Josh Wallace is in his first year with Michigan football; however, the transfer cornerback has been around when it comes to college football. On the other hand, while Will Johnson has played in Ann Arbor longer, he is only a sophomore and is picking up on some of what Wallace’s experience brings to the table.

“He’s a veteran,” Johnson continued. “So you know, he’s very savvy in the things he does, and we all play off each other. We always try to work off each other. I mean, I think as a whole, we just do whatever we can to get better with each other.”

Michigan football looking to get Josh Wallace more reps as the weeks go by

This weekend, with players like Amorion Walker still banged up, expect Josh Wallace to continue getting some significant reps for the Michigan football defense. To this point, it’s clear that Jim Harbaugh assembled one of the top transfer portal classes in the nation, with Wallace and many others continuing to shine for the Maize and Blue.

Through four games of the 2023 season, Josh Wallace has recorded six total tackles (three solo) and two pass breakups. He nearly had an interception in Week 1; however, due to a technicality, it was ultimately called back.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher 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 streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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ESPN analyst says there is ‘validity’ to Jim Harbaugh NFL rumors

This analyst says that there is some validity to back the Jim Harbaugh NFL rumors.

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Michigan football, Jim Harbaugh, NFL, Greg McElory
© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

If you’re a Michigan football fan, you are quite used to the Jim Harbaugh NFL rumors that plague every offseason in Ann Arbor. The rumors of Harbaugh returning to the NFL peaked in 2022, when the Wolverines’ head coach interviewed for a job with the Vikings, yet ultimately returned to his alma mater the following season. Still, seeing as Harbaugh boasts a 29-3 record since 2021, the rumor mill continues — according to Greg McElroy of ESPN, there will always be some validity to these grumblings.

ESPN analyst says there is ‘validity’ to Jim Harbaugh NFL rumors

With talks of an NCAA suspension, conference expansion, the transfer portal, NIL, and more, no one would blame Jim Harbaugh for eying a return to the NFL next year. That said, there appears to be no interest from Harbaugh right now, likely due to it being mid-season for his Wolverines.

Still, ESPN analyst Greg McElroy recently expressed his belief that, despite Harbaugh’s commitment to Michigan football, the rumors of his return will always be valid. He said so on the Always College Football podcast.

“When it comes to Jim Harbaugh going to the NFL, I think there’s always validity,” Greg McElroy stated. “Jim Harbaugh has seen his brother win a Super Bowl, and Jim Harbaugh was five yards away from potentially winning a Super Bowl. It’s not that he doesn’t love his job at Michigan, but if the opportunity presents itself to go back to the NFL, I think there’s always gonna be validity.

“College football is a hard job. The (transfer) portal, roster retention, roster development, NIL. It’s hard. In the NFL, there are rules — free agency, draft. NFL’s a lot easier gig for a head coach. By the way, the (Los Angeles) Chargers have a pretty good roster. Obviously a legit, big-time quarterback in (ex-Oregon Duck) Justin Herbert. So I think there’s some validity there potentially, but there always is when it comes to Harbaugh. I think he likes to be wooed, and that’s okay because he’s still winning at a really high clip.”

Michigan football knows what to expect every offseason with Harbaugh as head coach

Michigan football fans know that, even if Jim Harbaugh were to shut down the rumors right now, they would still pop back up by season’s end. As long as Harbaugh is at the college level, people will be tying him to an NFL job — that is just the reality that we live in right now, especially since Harbaugh has Michigan pinned among the nation’s top national title contenders right now.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher 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 streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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