ANN ARBOR, Mich. — This past week, Michigan football quarterback J.J. McCarthy went from being thought of as a dependable signal caller nationally to being the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy in the betting odds. Wolverines fans were aware of his capability, but the rest of the country is starting to find out.
But what’s made McCarthy so good this year? One big factor is experience, of course, being in his second year of starting the position. But the game also appears to be slowing down for the junior from Illinois, and he says that the way he prepares for games has been the biggest factor for his recent success.
“Where I’m at right now, it feels extremely comfortable,” McCarthy said. “Because I found that weekly routine that just really suits me, and does well for me on Saturdays. And I just credit that to the preparation Coach Campbell — has done a great job with me, Coach Moore has done a great job with me, Coach Harbaugh. It’s all the way up. Just the preparation has been elite. So, Saturdays come a heck of a lot easier.
McCarthy has really spread the ball around this season. While he has his two primary receivers — Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson — he’s also found a tight rhythm with his tight ends Colston Loveland and AJ Barner. Additionally, running back Donovan Edwards and freshman wideout Semaj Morgan have gotten in on the action.
The junior slinger says that the consistency with his receiving cadre is a result of him being healthy all through the offseason, which has allowed for everyone involved to be able to benefit from being on the same page and timing.
“It was definitely mostly the offseason work, too,” McCarthy said. “Spring ball and fall camp, just getting those extra routes in after practice, or on our off days. It comes out big time in these games, where I just know where they’re going to be before they get out of the break. So credit that to the preparation again.”
McCarthy was off this week with Michigan on a bye, but the Wolverines will return to action next Saturday night when they host Purdue.