It is hard to imagine expectations being much higher for the Michigan Wolverines heading into the 2023 college football season. But if you believe what Big Ten analyst Adam Breneman is hearing from NFL scouts, Michigan QB JJ McCarthy has the potential to not only lead Michigan to a National Championship but to become the best quarterback in all of college football while doing it.
Breneman cites NFL scouts' belief that McCarthy has the highest upside arm in the draft. With Michigan's high expectations for 2023, Breneman says McCarthy could lead Michigan to a National Championship, win the Heisman, and end up the #1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
"Scouts & analysts are saying there could be a new best QB in college football. And no his name is not Caleb Williams. It’s J.J. McCarthy."
Caleb Williams, last season's Heisman Trophy winner is widely considered a favorite for the Heisman Trophy again in 2023 and is the early favorite to be selected #1 in the upcoming NFL Draft.
"Various scouts said that McCarthy’s arm has the highest upside of any QB they’ve scouted for the upcoming season. But the biggest question mark? Can McCarthy take Michigan to a National Championship and win the Heisman along the way?"
Michigan's arm talent has never been in doubt. Last season, McCarthy was forced to miss the entire offseason while rehabbing a shoulder injury. Healthy since, and now returning as the starter, many expect McCarthy to flash the best version of himself as a passer. But there's more to the junior quarterback's game.
"I see a playmaker with top-level arm strength and accuracy, but the most impressive part is his mobility and athleticism."
This is a new level of hype for McCarthy, but a level Breneman says he is buying.
Michigan has not had a Heisman Finalist QB since current head coach Jim Harbaugh finished 3rd in 1986. McCarthy would be the third finalist for Harbaugh as head coach at Michigan, joining Jabrill Peppers in 2016 and Aidan Hutchinson in 2021. Two Wolverines have been selected with the #1 pick in NFL Draft history, Heisman winner Tom Harmon in 1941 and Jake Long in 2008. Heisman Winners Charles Woodson and Desmond Howard were each selected with the 4th overall pick.
Needless to say, a season like the one Breneman describes would put McCarthy in an elite territory in Michigan Football history.
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