Michigan QB debate, how we got here: McNamara’s championship run, McCarthy’s 5-star shine

A pair exited Michigan Stadium on Saturday holding fingers, carrying comparable Michigan soccer t-shirt jerseys. One learn “McNamara” with the No. 12 on the again, whereas the opposite had “McCarthy” and a 9.

“That is our model of a home divided,” the girl stated.

Everybody has an opinion on Michigan’s quarterback battle between Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy. It’s a contest that has been a number of years within the making. So, how did we get right here?

2019

On Might 11, McCarthy dedicated to Michigan. On the time, he was wrapping up his sophomore yr at Nazareth Excessive Faculty. He performed his junior season on the Illinois college, earlier than transferring to powerhouse IMG Academy in Florida.

In the meantime, McNamara was an early enrollee at Michigan after a record-setting highschool profession in Nevada. Shea Patterson was the incumbent, and the quarterback room additionally included Brandon Peters, Dylan McCaffery and Joe Milton.

McNamara didn’t see the sphere throughout his freshman season with the Wolverines.

2020

McCarthy led IMG to an undefeated season and a nationwide championship. As a highschool QB, McCarthy completed simply shy of 8,000 passing yards (7,905), with 94 landing passes. He didn’t have an interception as a senior.

In Ann Arbor, McNamara was crushed out for the beginning quarterback job at Michigan by Joe Milton, however stepped in at Rutgers and led an exhilarating comeback. He made his first begin the subsequent week in opposition to Penn State however received harm. McNamara appeared in 4 whole video games that COVID-shorted season, when the Wolverines had been simply 2-4.

2021

McCarthy arrived in Ann Arbor as a five-star recruit ranked twenty fifth within the class per the 247Sports composite. He was Michigan’s highest-ranked recruit in his class. (Comparatively, McNamara was no slouch in his day, a four-star recruit and 268th total.)

McNamara had earned the respect of his teammates throughout his redshirt freshman season. He wasn’t a crew captain in 2021, however he was a frontrunner. And he gained the beginning job out of camp.

What did he do with it? Assist Michigan beat Ohio State for the primary time in a decade and win its first Huge Ten title since 2004. McNamara accomplished 64 p.c of his passes and threw 15 touchdowns in opposition to simply six interceptions. He was excellent, however not spectacular.

The Wolverines leaned on their run sport, protection, and particular groups to succeed in the Faculty Soccer Playoff, the place they misplaced to Georgia to complete 12-2. McNamara was named the third-best quarterback within the Huge Ten by the coaches and media.

McCarthy appeared in 11 video games. He didn’t play in opposition to Washington (Michigan didn’t draw back till late), Rutgers or Penn State (each shut all through). He accomplished 34 of 59 passes with 5 touchdowns and two interceptions. Michigan utilized his legs, too, as he ran for 124 yards and two scores.

McNamara was regular all season, avoiding sacks and turnovers. McCarthy was susceptible to freshman errors, like his two fumbles within the fourth quarter of a loss at Michigan State. Michigan misplaced simply two video games final season, and McNamara wasn’t the reason for both.

2022

Getting into the 2022 season, McNamara reminded individuals he was the beginning quarterback for the defending Huge Ten champs. He was voted one in every of Michigan’s 5 captains. His competitor missed spring apply with a shoulder damage.

And but McNamara nonetheless didn’t win the beginning job outright.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh introduced earlier than the season that whereas McNamara would begin the opener, McCarthy would begin the second sport. Harbaugh would decide after Michigan’s first two video games.

Properly, this previous Saturday, McNamara turned in a pedestrian efficiency in Michigan’s 51-7 win over Colorado State, finishing 9 of 18 passes for 136 yards and a landing. McCarthy performed some too, connecting on all 4 of his throws whereas speeding for 50 yards and a landing.

After the sport, McNamara regarded and sounded annoyed.

“It was fairly uncommon,” he stated of Harbaugh’s preseason choice. “It was form of a factor that I wasn’t anticipating by the tip of the camp. I believed I had my finest camp. I believed I put myself in a great place. And that was a call that coach went with.”

Harbaugh famous a few of McNamara’s passes had been dropped. He additionally known as McCarthy’s efficiency “electrical.”

McCarthy will begin in opposition to Hawaii on Saturday. McNamara figures to see the sphere as properly. That would proceed all through the season. Harbaugh stated he’d desire to choose a everlasting starter coming into the third sport, however will proceed to deploy any gamers he feels may help Michigan win.

This battle started, in a means, three years in the past. It could possibly be over by subsequent week.