[jwplayer XLbDFjxf-XNcErKyb]
The second commit of Michigan’s 2021 class, five-star quarterback J.J. McCarthy has been the ringleader, the most outspoken spokesperson of the group, advocating for the nation’s top prospects to join him in Ann Arbor.
A player of his caliber has a certain cache that will get those who weren’t paying attention previously to suddenly give a glance at the Wolverines, but, of course, it takes a little more than that to get the top prospects to want to come to Michigan over other programs that have more recent success — like Alabama or Clemson.
However, the maize and blue has a lot going for it. Since Jim Harbaugh took over, he took a team that was in the doldrums of college football, having gone 5-7 in 2014 and missing a bowl game, to being a perennial 10-win team. Of course, mounting losses to Ohio State haven’t helped, but McCarthy sees that more as an opportunity than a knock to be had against the school.
So, we asked McCarthy — especially now that he’s surrounded by future Power Five elite players at IMG Academy — what does he say to a recruit that’s only considering a top school in the SEC or ACC? What’s his pitch to a top-rated player who hasn’t been looking at Michigan?
We have to say, it’s pretty convincing.
“Honestly, when I try to recruit kids to Michigan, ask me any scenario, I’ll tell you why Michigan is a good fit for it,” McCarthy told WolverinesWire. “Like, if you ask me, ‘How’s the education?’ ‘It’s one of the best in the world.’ ‘How’s the strength and conditioning?’ ‘We have one of the best strength coaches in the world.’ And the biggest questions that I get when I ask these recruits: ‘What about beating Ohio State and stuff like that?’ It’s like, ‘Good. Good that we’re gonna have the opportunity to be the ones that beat them and be the one to be a part of that opportunity to ignite a fanbase that will love you and cherish you for decades.’ When we do get over this hump – this year was a great year, next year is gonna be better. We just have such an opportunity in front of us, and a lot of kids don’t realize that.
“Michigan, hands down, has proven over and over again: Top 5 public university in the country. You add that with the football tradition that it has and the winningest program of all-time – and people ask about the cold? Well, if you’re gonna go the NFL, you’re gonna play in the cold. Might as well get used to it. What can you not possibly like about Michigan? It has everything – you might not like it sometimes, but it’s the best for you. Best for any athlete or any human that’s just trying to strive to be the best that they can be.
“That’s pretty much the pitch I would give to them and it’s one of those pitches – ask me anything. Everything Michigan has is in your favor.”
At the moment, Michigan has 21 commitments in the 2021 class, but it’s looking to add more, including four-star RB Donovan Edwards and four-star DT Rayshaun Benny. McCarthy says he’s made his pitch to them already, but he’s letting them have some space as they make their college decision.
[lawrence-related id=27716,27714]