PFF ranks Michigan football gun-slinger a top-10 returning quarterback

JJ McCarthy entered the 2022 season as a replacement for Cade McNamara, but coach Jim Harbaugh gave both callers a shot at the job.

McCarthy started Week 2 against Hawaii in the spotlight and he never looked back. The then-sophomore sniper went 11 for 12 through the air for 229 yards and three scores against the Rainbow Warriors. After the game, Harbaugh told the media that McCarthy was Michigan’s starting quarterback.

McCarthy led Michigan to an undefeated regular season with big wins over rivals Michigan State and Ohio State. He helped the Wolverines win the Big Ten Championship game against Purdue and advance to the College Football Playoffs.

The dual-threat quarterback finished the season with 2,719 yards, 22 touchdowns through the air and five interceptions. He also rushed for 306 yards and five rushing scores.

After the season he had, Pro Football Focus lists McCarthy as the No. 8 returning quarterback for the 2023 football season.

McCarthy took the starting job from Cade McNamara in Game 2 of the season and didn’t look back, quarterbacking Michigan to its second straight Big Ten title and playoff spot. He thrives outside of the original game design. McCarthy’s five touchdown passes outside the structure were tied with Drake Maye and trailing only Caleb Williams and Bryce Young among Power Five quarterbacks.

USC quarterback Caleb Williams was ranked first on the list. There were no other Big Ten quarterbacks on the roster other than McCarthy.

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