Jim Harbaugh: JJ McCarthy is a 'double-edged sword' for Michigan
Jim Harbaugh finds new ways to praise J.J. McCarthy each week and the 49-0 win over Michigan State was no exception.
The Michigan quarterback was dialed in once again throwing and running the football. As Harbaugh described, McCarthy is a “double-edged sword.”
Every time the quarterback touches the football, Harbaugh knows McCarthy can make magic happen.
“A real high trust level that J.J. is going to make the play,” Harbaugh said postgame. “Yeah, they had the perfect defense called. One was a really well timed blitz that got home. I mean, there must have been seven guys in the backfield. He looked like Oz the Magnificent on that one. Incredible.
“And then he’s just so dangerous when he’s out of the pocket, keeps his eyes downfield and just picks the open receiver and or runs it himself. It’s a double edged sword with J.J. McCarthy. He is the double edged sword. Can beat you in so many ways.”
McCarthy finished the win over the Spartans 21-of-27 passing for 287 yards and four touchdowns. It was in stark contrast to the last time McCarthy played in East Lansing.
McCarthy served as the backup to Cade McNamara but had his time under center, going three-of-four passing for 23 yards and one touchdown. However, he had a costly fumble in the 37-33 loss.
“J.J. is just a great player,” Harbaugh said. “I mean, that’s just what it is. The drop-back game was just great. I mean, A++ the way he was throwing the ball. You talk about lasers. That’s what it was. Receivers. Tight ends were some of the best tight-end play I think anyone has probably seen in college football. I don’t think I’d be going too far on a limb of saying that.
“I mean, the catches they were making, the routes they were running, the precision that was there in the drop-back passing game. The contested catches that our tight ends were making — AJ Barner especially. There were some real bang-bang shots and coverage was really tight. Only a few inches to spare from where J.J. put the throw and then bang, there’s the hit and to hold onto the ball is pretty amazing.”
In eight games this season, McCarthy has 1,799 yards, 18 touchdowns, three interceptions and a 78.1% completion percentage.
As a member of the Class of 2021, McCarthy was a four-star recruit out of La Grange Park (Ill.) IMG Academy (Fla.), according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 12 overall prospect in the state of Florida, the No. 9 quarterback in the class and the No. 47 overall prospect in the class.