ESPN: Opposing Big Ten Coaches Don't Sound Overly Impressed With Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy

Two Big Ten coaches gave their thoughts on J.J. McCarthy and while there were some good in it -- neither sound too impressed.

J.J. McCarthy is entering his third year at quarterback for Michigan and the second season as the starting QB. The junior led the Wolverines to an undefeated regular season with wins against Michigan State and Ohio State. He then helped lead Michigan to a College Football Playoff birth but then fell short against TCU in the Semifinals. 

McCarthy finished 2022 by throwing for 2,719 yards, 22 touchdowns, and five interceptions -- two of which were pick six's against TCU.

ESPN gathered intel from anonymous coaches this offseason about every major starting quarterback ($). In the Big Ten, two different coaches gave their opinion on McCarthy. 

The first was a defensive coordinator who believes McCarthy is at the top of the league, but then he goes on to say he doesn't know how good he is. He believes McCarthy is protected by Michigan having a good run game and offensive line. 

"He's at the top of the league, obviously, I'm just not sure how good he really is," a Big Ten defensive coordinator said. "He was protected in terms of actually having to go out there and make some s--- happen on his own. If they can run the ball, then they can protect those guys and not ask them to do a ton."

The next coach thinks McCarthy needs to protect the football a little better -- going back to that TCU game. But he says McCarthy makes Michigan a 'different' team. 

"He's just gotta protect the ball," a Big Ten coach said. "If he does that, they have very gifted players. I thought he made them different."

There is no denying McCarthy is a gifted football player and with the team surrounding him in 2023, McCarthy could be in store for a major year.