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With the Michigan football 2021 recruiting class fully signed and nearly half already on campus as early enrollees, the question now is: Who will be the best of the bunch?
Sometimes, it seems obvious. If you get a high-end five-star, chances are, he will be the top-rated player coming out of college. But, it’s not an exact science. For instance, former Michigan defensive end Kwity Paye is widely expected to be a high-to-mid first-round pick in this year’s NFL draft, but he was just a three-star coming out of Bishop Hendricken in Warwick, Rhode Island. So, sometimes, being a five-star doesn’t fully estimate your potential.
However, when ESPN put together the commits with the most potential from its top 25 teams in the 2021 recruiting class, the one it anticipates will be the top player for the Wolverines is a widely known five-star: quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
14. Michigan Wolverines: QB J.J. McCarthy
Joe Milton was the first quarterback recruited by Jim Harbaugh to start a season-opener, and that was in Harbaugh’s sixth season. Milton has now transferred and the Wolverines are still looking for consistency at the position. Cade McNamara battled with Milton last season and is still on the roster, but McCarthy was the No. 25-ranked recruit in the 2021 class. He’s a dual-threat quarterback that fits with the direction Michigan wants its offense to go and has the talent to stabilize the position in the future. He has the opportunity to make the biggest impact of any Michigan signee in this class if he pans out.
Scouting report: McCarthy has drawn high praise from his coach at IMG Academy, who has described McCarthy as a deep thinker with a high football IQ and calming presence to him. His poise and ability to throw a catchable ball are evident on film, and he doesn’t unnecessarily force throws. He also has good feet and vision. McCarthy can navigate the pocket well and keep plays alive. — Haubert
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Now, the quarterback is the most important player on the field at any given time, so if McCarthy can live up to the hype, he assuredly could lead the maize and blue to a higher level of greatness. But, with players in the 2021 class such as running back Donovan Edwards, wideout Xavier Worthy and linebacker Junior Colson, it’s easy to see how others could surpass McCarthy, should they come in and make a big impact early.
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