J.J. McCarthy Could Do Something No Other Michigan QB Has Ever Done
It was announced on Tuesday that J.J. McCarthy was one of 35 quarterbacks to be named to the Davey O'Brien Award preseason watch list.
The award is given to the nation's best quarterback. The award is the oldest and the most prestigious award for the quarterback position.
McCarthy was a semifinalist for the award, but it ultimately went to TCU QB Max Duggan. But McCarthy is back for his junior campaign and the second season as the starting quarterback for the Wolverines. In 2022, he threw for 2,719 yards, 22 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
No Michigan quarterback has ever won the award in the 47 years it's been around. Could McCarthy be the first Wolverine QB to win? It's certainly possible.
Michigan should be a good team again and compete to not only win the Big Ten but win the national championship -- which would bode well for McCarthy's chances at the award. But arguably the biggest thing going to the junior is the fact Michigan is wanting to throw the football more in 2023.
During Monday's media availability, McCarthy spoke on Michigan being more balanced this season between running and throwing. He also talked about how focused the team has been on throwing during fall camp.
"In order to get over that hump, in order to push through and wring out the most potential we have as an offense, you got to be balanced," said McCarthy during media availability. "And 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 heavy focused on the pass game these first five practices. So it's been great to be able to get those reps, get those opportunities. We got to be balanced. So no matter what it is, or how it gets there, we're gonna get there."
Here is more on McCarthy via the press release:
• 2022 Semifinalist, Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award
• 2022 All-Big Ten (second team, media; third team, coaches)
• Responsible for 34 career touchdowns (27 passing, seven rushing) in 25 career games played with 13 starts
• Totaled 2,719 yards passing in 2022 on 208-of-322 pass attempts, the No. 8 single-season passing total in program history
• His 22 passing touchdowns in 13 starts last season were the No. 6 single-season mark in program history; created 10 total scores over the season's final three weeks
• Team's Offensive Player (2022) and Rookie (2021) of the Year winner
