J.J. McCarthy
Welcome to Michigan, J.J. McCarthy!
@jjmccarthy09 hails from Illinois and played at IMG Academy, where he led his team to finish the season as National Champions.
NSD CENTRAL » https://t.co/CFn7hRvre7 #GoBlue | #NewBlue | #NSD21 pic.twitter.com/myFa0zE28r
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 16, 2020
Prep
• Attended IMG Academy (2021) coached by Bobby Acosta
• Also attended Nazareth High School in La Grange Park, Ill., coached by Tim Racki
• Helped IMG finish 8-0 as a senior, out-scoring its opponents 381-82 during the season
• IMG finished the season as the 2020 National Champions; ranked No. 1 in MaxPrep’s final 2020 High School Football Rankings
• Led Nazareth to a 13-1 record and the Class 7A state title as a sophomore in 2018
• Helped Nazareth reach the state title game in 2017 and 2019 as well
• Also played lacrosse at Nazareth
• Academic All-State selection at NazarethKey Statistics
• Finished his high school career with a 36-2 record as a starter
• Accumulated 7,905 career pass yards with 94 touchdowns and 13 interceptions
• As a senior, went 92-of-165 passing (57 percent) for 1,392 yards with 16 touchdown passes and no interceptions; added one rushing score
• Threw for 2,820 yards and 34 touchdowns as a junior at Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park (Ill.)
• As a sophomore in 2018, completed 182-of-240 passes (76 percent) for 3,448 yards with 39 touchdowns and four interceptions; also scored two rushing touchdownsHonors and Rankings
• Earned a 247Sports Composite ranking of five stars; the No. 22 overall player nationally, the No. 2 pro-style quarterback and the No. 7 player in the state of Florida; ranked as the No. 1 player in Illinois
• Named a four-star prospect by 247Sports; the No. 35 overall player in the nation, the No. 3 pro-style quarterback and the No. 9 in the state of Florida
• Member of the ESPN300; four-star prospect, the 23rd overall player nationally, the No. 2 quarterback and the No. 7 overall prospect in the state of Florida
• Rivals.com four-star prospect; 41st-rated prospect in the country, the No. 4 quarterback nationally and the No. 10 player in Florida
• Selected to participate in the 2021 All-American Bowl and 2021 Polynesian Bowl all-star games
• Elite 11 selection
• News-Gazette All-State Illinois Player of the Year (2019); the first underclassman to win the honor in 25 years of eligibility
• Chicago Tribune Offensive Chicago Pioneer Press Offensive Player of the Year (2019)
• Chicago Sun-Times All-Area Selection
• Two-time EDGYTIM/Rivals.com All-State selection in Illinois (2018-19)Personal
• J.J. McCarthy was born Jan. 20, 2003
• Son of Jim and Megan McCarthy
• Also an accomplished hockey player
Lean frame right now. Right around the average for height at the position, but needs to fill in more in the coming years. Fantastic arm talent. Can make every throw on the field, is consistent with accuracy and placement and has clean mechanics. Smart, competitive kid who has excelled in big games and big situations. Is not a big big running threat, but shows very good pocket presence, ability to escape the rush and make throws on the move. Passing skills and approach to the game scream multi-year college starter at a high-level, the main concern would be pure strength and adding bulk to his frame.
From The Wolverine’s EJ Holland:
Arm strength is superior. Could be more consistent from an accuracy standpoint. Only completed 58 percent of passes as a senior (did suffer from some drops). Special when moving around the pocket. Escapability is extremely impressive. Capable of making Johnny Manziel-like Houdini plays. Doesn’t run a lot but when he does, McCarthy is quick and elusive and often picks up chunks of yards. Has added good weight and strength to what was a skinny frame. Would likely have received a five-star bump with more of a dominant senior year. Has all the intangibles. Incredible leader and relentless worker. Will have a chance to win starting quarterback job as a true freshman at Michigan.
Natural-born leader that displays great touch on deep balls. Can extend plays with his legs and maintains accuracy while throwing on the run. Has good zip on short to intermediate routes, but lacks top-end arm strength.
2021 Outlook: The scouting report on McCarthy is enough for many within the Michigan fanbase to view him as a first-year starter. While McCarthy is listed as a pro-style quarterback, he has the ability to escape the pocket and is deadly accurate on the run. However, McCarthy will also enter a quarterback room that already contains Joe Milton, Cade McNamara, and Dan Villari. Even so, the Wolverines were never quite able to nail down a QB1 during the 2020 season, and McCarthy will certainly have a legitimate shot to make his case during spring and fall camp.
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