JJ McCarthy Among Nation's Elite per SI All-American

Michigan's quarterback commit is as good as any signal caller in the country.

@jjmccarthy09 / Twitter

Now at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, JJ McCarthy is the gem of Michigan's 2021 class. The 6-3, 190-pounder has been recognized as a special talent for a couple of years now and will now get even more recognition at the football factory that is IMG Academy.

According to the 247 Sports Composite, McCarthy is a five-star talent and the No. 2 pro-style quarterback in the country. Recently, McCarthy came in at No. 3 per SI All-American.

McCarthy still has a year of high school left, but he's already expected to do big things at Michigan once he arrives in Ann Arbor. Fans are excited for his arrival and might be too optimistic at this point. McCarthy has every quality you look for in a QB, but expecting him to start and light the Big Ten on fire as a true freshman is a bit much.

Director of football recruiting for Sports Illustrated John Garcia recently broke down McCarthy's game during the rollout of the SI All-American candidates.

Prospect: J.J. McCarthy
Status: SI All-American Candidate
Vitals: 6-foot-2, 190 pounds
Position: Quarterback
School: Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
Committed to: Michigan
Projected Position: Quarterback

Frame: Adequate height with some length and plenty of room to fill out. Can play in the 210-pound range in college.

Athleticism: Good overall athlete with a big arm. Easy third-level ability with that live arm. Quicker than fast but can threaten the chains with his legs when pressed. Active feet in the pocket. Snap reads through progression with quick, decisive trigger thereafter.

Instincts: Strong pocket presence with the ability to extend the play as a passer. Tough competitor with some fearlessness in climbing the pocket looking for the big play. Good anticipation and timing, particularly on routes outside the numbers and down the field. Trusts his arm as much as any passer in the country and will occasionally test strength in throwing across his body.

Polish: Easy release with some velocity on the football. Delivery can be tightened but there is drive to compensate. Stands tall in the pocket with a strong base. Flashes well throwing on the run, even vertically. Comfortable with eyes downfield and aware enough to evade initial pressure.

Bottom Line: McCarthy is a gunslinger with the natural arm, athleticism and confidence to become a defensive coordinator’s menace in short order. As he elevates his game with natural physical progression at the collegiate level, there won’t be many young passers at that level with the raw tools he has at his disposal. McCarthy will fill it up once he gets his shot on Saturdays and it should lead to Sunday opportunity.

Recently competing at the Elite 11 Finals, McCarthy finished as the No. 2 quarterback overall according to the SI All-American team, so the Michigan commit has been performing at a high level both in the season and during the offseason.

Do you think McCarthy is going to come into Michigan and compete for the starting job as a true freshman? Or is that too lofty of an expectation? Let us know!