It’s no secret that we have a lot of interest in JJ, although it’s obviously not clear yet if we’ll be able to get him or not. I’m no scout or draftnik, and I’m nothing more than a passionate fan of the Wolverines and Broncos. I’m not even going to try to be objective here, and I’ll wear my bias on my sleeve. At the same time, I also will admit that I do not know if his game will translate well physically into the pros. But I think he would be absolutely perfect for us.
**My projections for Floor/Ceiling**
Floor – Jim Harbaugh. His college coach was drafted late in the first round, played 14 years of solid but not spectacular football, was a bit of a journeyman, had one deep playoff run (1995), also won the Comeback Player of the Year and went to the Pro Bowl that year, and was a smart, tough, and resilient player. I’ve also heard Jake Plummer, which I think could also be accurate. I just don’t think that he’ll be any worse than either of them (barring major injury). But, those guys also didn’t play in a Super Bowl.
Ceiling – 90’s John Elway (all of the intangibles, but less talent). This almost feels sacrilegious, but I don’t care. I’m too young to have seen 80’s Elway, so I won’t try to make that comparison. From the little that I know, JJ doesn’t have the same physical tools as 80’s Elway. But I’m being serious when I say that when JJ led Michigan to glory, it felt A LOT like when Elway led us to glory in the 90’s in so many ways.
**Play Style**
JJ is pocket passer first with good awareness and an underrated ability to scramble and run. There were many times when I thought a play was dead, but then he’d scamper for like 25 yards. He’s actually quite fast, and I always remember [this play](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEffj2u7zlY&ab_channel=SportsAddictYT) where he outran Corum to block downfield. He does a great job of reading the defense and making accurate throws, best exemplified by [this play](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE-EJZMUL9I&ab_channel=WXYZ-TVDetroit%7CChannel7). He also has flashes of just supreme athleticism, best exemplified by [this play](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u7sq-YW_Y8&ab_channel=AllStarCentral). Although he didn’t throw deep often, he is [definitely](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjpFKR4FxWY&ab_channel=PSCHighlights) at least [capable](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYnllPwC-Lo&ab_channel=PSCHighlights). The part that really reminds me of Elway is that JJ is tough as fuck and he is clutch when the game is on the line, especially during the whole drive that led up to [this touchdown to tie Alabama](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DSF2evlegM&ab_channel=STX).
Now, was a lot of JJ’s success due at least in part to a great offensive line, the best defense in college football, and excellent coaches? Without question. But none of that would have mattered without JJ.
**Character**
The best asset that JJ brings to the table is unquestionably his character. Everyone probably says that, but its another thing to give proof. So I’m going to take you all deep into Michigan lore and list some examples and try to provide some context:
\- JJ grew up in the Chicago suburbs and has been an incredible friend and teammate from the beginning, as shown in this [heartbreaking story](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiB8nS4G3JM&ab_channel=BigTenNetwork).
\- He was a five star recruit and he wanted to go to Ohio State. He had been a big Buckeye fan growing up. But then Ryan Day [picked Kyle McCord over JJ McCarthy in April 2019](https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2023/11/143277/ohio-state-s-choice-of-kyle-mccord-over-jj-mccarthy-will-be-put-to-the-test-in-the-game). JJ McCarthy signed with Michigan soon after and decided to make it his mission to beat Ohio State, which he would do 3 times. (Hahaha suck it Bucknuts! Sorry I couldn’t help myself lol.) And even through all of that, JJ and Kyle are friends and Ryan Day had nothing but respect for JJ.
\- It cannot be overstated how risky going to Michigan was at the time. Michigan sucked ass in 2019. We lost to Ohio State 56-27. I was at that game and it was soul-crushing. We had been mediocre at best for fifteen years, at least relative to the glory years in the 90’s. Then it really came crashing down during the 2020 Covid year. I honestly couldn’t even watch those hellish games. In the midst of that season, JJ sent [this now famous tweet](https://twitter.com/jjmccarthy09/status/1328008127074217987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1733155853232923073%7Ctwgr%5Ef59e34a90010c8569396a820c11078b027ef85bc%7Ctwcon%5Es3_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.on3.com%2Fteams%2Fmichigan-wolverines%2Fnews%2Fmichigan-qb-j-j-mccarthys-uplifting-tweet-from-2020-revisited%2F), telling fans that everyone was working to get better.
\- And then everything changed in 2021. We FINALLY beat Ohio State and got back into the national conversation. The turnaround was mostly thanks to the leadership of Aidan Hutchinson. JJ was just a change of pace qb this year, but he played his role well and supported his teammates.
\- I’d probably submit the start of the 2022 season as Exhibit A of JJ being a consummate professional and a great teammate. There was a bonafide qb battle that pulled on everyone’s heartstrings and had no easy answers. Cade McNamara had just beaten Ohio State and won the Big Ten for us, but JJ was clearly more skilled. It was so messy going into the season, with Harbaugh not committing to either of them. In the first game, Cade played the first half, and JJ played the second half. In the second game, JJ started, and Cade came in during the second half. JJ outplayed Cade in those games and seemed to be winning the battle. JJ started the third game and then Cade sustained an injury in the second half, and that was the end of that. Cade transferred to Iowa at the end of the season, where he still is now. This was a fucking quagmire waiting to explode. BUT, JJ never complained once, he submitted himself to the competition and bought into it, and there was never even a whisper that he might transfer. There was never any public animosity between JJ and Cade. And it never detracted from the team, as we won those first games in blowouts. JJ still kind of had a bit of a cloud hanging over his head for the rest of the season, right up until he went into Columbus and [absolutely demolished](https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/401405153) Ohio State. Honestly I still can’t believe this season went down the way that it did.
\- And last year we won the national championship. I won’t go through all the ups and downs of that whole season. But there are a few games that I want to specifically address. In the Penn State game, where we famously didn’t pass it in the second half, it was actually JJ that pushed for us to run the ball more because that was working and we were winning. In the Maryland game, his ankle was reportedly so injured that he could barely walk during halftime, but he gutted it out and we won. His stats don’t necessarily pop in the Ohio State game, but he hit big play after big play when it mattered most down the stretch.
\- If you only watch one game, watch the Rose Bowl game against Alabama. He was sensational in that game, and it was against several defensive players that will be drafted in the first round this year or next. And there could not have possibly been more pressure on JJ to deliver. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that that was the most important single non-Ohio State game in the history of Michigan football. In 97, the BCS hadn’t even started yet, so we played #8 Washington State in the Rose Bowl. And Michigan’s history in bowl games has been checkered at best. And then we obviously went on to beat Washington, but honestly that just felt like a coronation. The Rose Bowl against Alabama, though, is why there is no debate that JJ is the greatest quarterback at Michigan in its long and storied history.
\- When NIL kind of turned the college football world upside down, JJ responded by giving the money from his jersey sales [to his offensive line](https://www.maizenbrew.com/football/2022/3/16/22981499/michigan-football-j-j-mccarthy-nil-offensive-line). He also has a foundation where he has donated [a ton of money to children’s hospitals](https://www.on3.com/teams/michigan-wolverines/news/michigan-wolverines-football-j-j-mccarthy-donates-over-30000-through-foundation/).
\- He’s always cordial and professional with the media, but he never really seeks it out and he always points to his teammates first. That’s just my take from seeing his interviews and stuff.
\- Here’s a couple of assorted things if you are interested: (1) he’s a big hockey fan, actually grew up playing hockey and loved it, (2) he’s engaged to his high school sweetheart, and (3) he’s a big practitioner of meditation, and he talks a lot about mental health.
**The Broncos Right Now**
As tough as last year was at the end, I think it’s important to remember how much talent is already on our current roster. We may not be “a qb away” like I once thought, but we still have a lot of good players. We still have PS2 and Simmons holding down the secondary. The front seven will have several solid guys. Our offensive line is average at worst and our skill players have potential. My point is that the cupboard is not bare. We are not in a situation like Bryce Young walking into Carolina. Whomever we draft will not be asked to be a superhero and save the franchise on every play. What we need is a high character, smart, tough, and efficient player to run Sean Payton’s system, take what the defense gives him, and make big plays when it matters. JJ could easily fit that role.
**Bottom Line**
I think JJ’s ceiling is Elway, but specifically in 90’s not the 80’s. Can JJ be good enough to put the team on his back and almost single-handedly makes us competitive (80’s Elway)? Probably not. But can JJ be good enough to take us to glory as the leader of a talented team (90’s Elway)? Fuck yeah. Absolutely. No question. I hope we do everything we can to get him.
15 comments
Sorry my man I can’t read all that. But thanks you for caring this much
I stopped reading once I saw the ceiling at 90’s Elway. If that were true he’d be mocked in the Top 3
The fuck this have to do with being a Colorado native?
I hope you don’t have the bumper sticker.
I stopped at the Elway comparison. Elway is an all time great QB. He was also a sure thing draftee.
Offenses were different back then but Elway arm strength can’t be underestimated.
Same here.
I read this whole thing lol. Yeah I’m sold. Honestly there are like 9 guys I’d be fine with in this draft.
He’s incredible
Something I’ve learned over the years while trying to evaluate QBs is their mentality and leadership are arguably the most important traits there are. I feel like he has the best mentality and leadership out of all of the QBs in this drafts which is why I am 100% sold on drafting him.
>Can JJ be good enough to put the team on his back and almost single-handedly makes us competitive (80’s Elway)? Probably not.
This would basically mean he is not a franchise QB. A franchise QB is someone who can make a team competitive.
I read the whole thing, and I want to apologize for the sheer amount of people admitting they didn’t read your write up.
I enjoyed it and thought you included some really nice anecdotes that most of us wouldn’t have any idea about.
I think JJ would be an interesting way to go, and if SP thinks he’s our guy I’m excited to see what he thinks he could mould him into. Cheers!
I like the kid too. He has all the intangibles you could ever hope for.
Sean is going to go have to play a little poker and bluff during the draft ( move up and get who he wants) ( sit tight and hope the player he wants falls in his hands)
( put together a puzzle to get a new QB, TE, OL, CB or sit tight with Garrett and Urlich )
Nice write up! I really liked when he was talking about seeing the OSU player’s head turn while reviewing film. So impressive to identify that pre game, then apply that knowledge in game. Seems like a great fit for Payton.
First off, well done. This was clearly a lot of analysis and thought, and probably took a bit to write. I’m impressed with the level of details and hype throughout the entire piece.
Second, for everyone losing their shit over the Elway comparison:
1. OP literally said 90s Elway, because 80s Elway is a once in a lifetime player. 90s Elway, while still goated, is a more comparable type of player. JM is far less talented, but the similarities in playstyles to #7 are similar, to say the least.
2. Even if JM becomes a “budget” or “bronze” Elway – that’s still the best QB we will have drafted in franchise history, so I’m all for it.
Anyway, I have no skin in the game. I’m rolling with whoever SP hand-picks. It’s going to be a long month and a half til draft day to see who ends up our next QB.
I don’t see the Elway comp. IMO:
– His floor is not being a starting NFL QB, some of his passes simply do not have enough touch right now and he hasn’t had a lot of passing snaps, that is a big risk.
– His ceiling, to me, would be Jim Kelly. Not success-wise, more just in terms of how he could play in an up tempo offense that uses his athleticism.
– Personally I think his closest comp right now would be Alex Smith. JJ has a higher athletic ceiling but he is probably going to be best in a run heavy offense that requires efficient but limited passing for the first few years of his NFL career.