Long before he committed to Michigan in May 2019, we’ve talked a lot about five-star JB McCarthy. Chances are, if you’re reading this, you have it too. The media have talked at length about him, both locally and nationally.
Do you know who we haven’t heard of the prized Michigan signatory? Head coach Jim Harbaugh.
While that defies belief, as he can’t make public comments about recruits until they sign on the dotted line, Wednesday was the first time he was able to talk about his nearly two-year-old quarterback promise. And on the podcast “In the Trenches” with Jon Jansen, Harbaugh was ecstatic about the IMG Academy gunman.
But the first thing he mentioned about him was his leadership and the way he recruited the class around him as if he were a team coach.
“JJ (has been) two years or so since he was engaged to Michigan,” Harbaugh said. “And you talk about the coaches before and the great work they did recruiting, but JJ, you have to describe him as a real leader. All types of class: I often ask, “Who is your favorite player in the class?” JJ’s name is always mentioned one or two or three. And he has done a great job connecting with the class. He has been a real leader. “
Okay, so we know McCarthy is off the field, what does Harbaugh see of him as a quarterback? What made him recruit so hard to the former signal caller of the Nazareth Academy?
“He’s a game creator,” Harbaugh said. “He is a very exciting player: a competitor. The first things I really liked about him, the second year, he played in the state championship (with) a broken bone in his left hand. Hockey Player: Here’s a tough guy! He won many games, was very good at 11-on-11 football and continued to grow as a player. Very athletic. He throws it very well. He just plays with a lot of energy. It’s really good: it has that “it” factor. You know, when you get into a mess, it’s important for the quarterback to have that. Confidence, energy. And also a guy who makes very good decisions, plays really well and competes. It gives you everything you have. All the qualities needed for a quarterback “.
Without removing McCarthy’s attributes: is he in favor of style? Can he commit a crime of propagation? – Harbaugh praises his versatility, what he can do on the field, mastery of confluence and the ability to go out and play when his team needs him most.
“That guy who really has a lot of arm talent,” Harbaugh said. “But it is also very light on the feet. He does plays when there is no play to do. Maybe the protection breaks a bit and there is a free runner in the quarterback. It has the ability to shun it. He has very good vision. Sometimes he looks like he’s looking, he has his eyes on his head. And then he makes that sharp, sharp throw, finds the man open, moves the chains, and makes the team reach the end zone. It has the ability to bring people together. You just have it! He has where people want to follow him. He’s not one of those big campus men where it’s all about him. He’s out of everything, always talking about his teammates. Really all good and competitive. There’s the word that probably sums up what you’re most looking for in a quarterback and JJ has it. “
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