J.J. McCarthy’s path to Michigan, outlook for 2022

J.J. McCarthy is likely one of the greatest names on the Michigan Soccer roster, and he’s solely been there a 12 months and he has but to begin a recreation. A mixture of spotlight reel performs for Michigan final season and the hype that comes with being a five-star recruit has led to McCarthy changing into a fan favourite.

The story to date

McCarthy dedicated to Michigan again in 2019 — the five-star McCarthy was ranked because the No. 24 prospect total nationally within the class of 2021, and No. 2 pro-style quarterback. McCarthy obtained gives from Ohio State, Wisconsin, Texas, and over 30 different faculties but it surely was at all times Michigan for McCarthy.

McCarthy turned heads throughout his highschool profession, compiling a 36-2 document as a starter, and profitable the 2020 Nationwide Championship with IMG, going 8-0 on the season whereas throwing for 16 touchdowns and no interceptions. In all, McCarthy had 7,905 profession yards passing with 94 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Throughout McCarthy’s freshman season at Michigan in 2021, he didn’t simply play in rubbish time — head coach Jim Harbaugh threw McCarthy into the fireplace in pivotal moments in shut video games.

McCarthy aided Michigan of their 38-17 street victory in opposition to Wisconsin the place he had a dashing rating and 56-yard landing cross. McCarthy obtained snaps in opposition to Michigan’s greatest rivals in Michigan State and Ohio State. McCarthy appeared within the School Soccer Playoff Semi-Remaining on the Orange Bowl, the place McCarthy was 7-of-17 for 131 yards with one landing cross.

McCarthy made greater than a handful of ‘wow’ performs together with his arm and his legs in 2021 — the younger quarterback has top-tier arm expertise, and his operating skills are top-tier as properly.

In all, McCarthy was 34-of-59 (57.6%) for 516 yards, 5 touchdowns and two interceptions. McCarthy additionally added 124 yards dashing with two dashing touchdowns.

Outlook transferring ahead

McCarthy had lingering arm soreness following the 2021 season and didn’t throw throughout Michigan’s spring practices. Nonetheless, McCarthy has been capable of throw since April 18 and is predicted to be full programs go when coaching camp rolls round in a pair months.

Whereas Cade McNamara carried out properly in 2021 and is the front-runner to be Michigan’s beginning quarterback once more in 2022, there’s little question that McCarthy will likely be pushing McNamara for taking part in time.

“So far as long-term, who it is going to be, that prediction, everybody rents that place,” head coach Jim Harbaugh mentioned in November 2021. “No one owns the place, any place on the sector. Not even the pinnacle coach. You lease, at finest.”

Harbaugh mentioned in February that if one is clearly higher, “one will clearly be the starter”.

“Might be the way in which we did it final 12 months the place they’re splitting time, or it might be yet another than the opposite, or one the complete manner,” Harbaugh mentioned.

Whether or not McCarthy begins the season behind McNamara or takes the reins proper out of the gate stays to be seen, what is evident is McCarthy will see the sector greater than he did a season in the past. With a 12 months of Michigan’s scheme below his belt and now acclimated to the pace of high-level collegiate soccer, there’s each purpose to suppose that McCarthy can have a productive 2022 marketing campaign. All proof factors to McCarthy changing into a extremely good, maybe nice, Michigan quarterback.