Michigan Football: Newcomer's High Praise For JJ McCarthy, Quarterback Room
It's easy to take it for granted, but it wasn't all that long ago that the quarterback situation at the University of Michigan was starving for talent and leadership. It was a strange predicament, particularly when most thought it would be a strength for head coach Jim Harbaugh - development of the quarterback position.
Now, as he prepares to enter his ninth season as head coach, it appears as though Harbaugh has finally created the type of quarterback room that most fans had hoped for upon his arrival.
Leading the way is junior quarterback, JJ McCarthy. As a first-year starter, McCarthy helped lead the Wolverines to a 13-1 record (10-0 in conference play), a road win over Ohio State for the first time in over two decades, a second consecutive Big Ten Championship and another appearance in the College Football Playoff. While his play on the field is impressive, it's who he is off of the field that seems to make the biggest impact on those around him.
Meeting with the media last week, incoming transfer quarterback Jack Tuttle couldn't say enough good things about the quarterback room at Michigan. Tuttle, a graduate student from the University of Indiana, said it starts with McCarthy.
"Most people would look at a guy like JJ, quarterback, big time guy, they might think he's arrogant or something like that," said Tuttle. "That dude is the most down to earth person. I can't say this enough - great human being, great football player, I love being around him. I'm stoked to be his teammate. That whole quarterback room, I'm just stoked to be in there - such good dudes.
"Right now, like I said, I'm going to come in and compete. JJ's been phenomenal, that whole quarterback room has been great, coach Kirk (Campbell). I'm honestly blessed to come into that situation and be around those guys, compete and have fun. I'm going to do whatever I can to help this team win."
Christopher Breiler
For McCarthy, the feeling this spring is vastly different from last year where he was competing for the starting job with former U-M QB, Cade McNamara.
"[Being the starter in the spring has a] tremendous, tremendous impact because it just feels like I have a solid foundation right now," he said. "And it’s so much easier to grow upon that foundation when it’s safe, secure and just being able to know where I’m at. There’s no like — I’m not in my head as much, everything’s happening so effortlessly now.
"Just with the preparation coming into the season, like we still have fall camp to prepare for, too, for the season, and it’s just going to do wonders for me. I just can’t wait to see how the season plays out because of it."
