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WATCH: JJ McCarthy, Roman Wilson connect for impressive catch in practice

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz08/06/22NickSchultz_7
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Michael Reaves/Getty Images

The quarterback competition at Michigan is still ongoing between Cade McNamara and JJ McCarthy. But that hasn’t stopped McCarthy from adding to his highlight reel.

McCarthy and Roman Wilson connected for an impressive reception in practice this week. The sophomore quarterback placed it perfectly between Wilson and defender Mike Sainristil.

McCarthy and McNamara are battling it out to be the starting quarterback for the Wolverines this season after splitting time at the position last year. McNamara got a majority of the snaps, throwing for 2,576 yards and 15 touchdowns. But McCarthy impressed, as well, notably with his legs as he rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns to go with 516 passing yards and five touchdowns.

At Big Ten Media Days, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh didn’t show his hand about which quarterback will start. His plan is to make sure the full competition takes place in practice.

“Both are really good, you know they ask at other positions, who’s going to play? I mean, the best player’s going to play, we’re going to know who the best player is by who plays the best,” Harbaugh said during his opening press conference. “Cade McNamara is going to be really tough to beat out for the starting quarterback job. JJ McCarthy’s going to be really tough to beat out for the starting quarterback job.”

But in his individual session with reporters, Harbaugh was asked how McNamara responded when he found out he wouldn’t be the starter entering fall camp. That then led to an interesting exchange.

“Who said he wasn’t the starter entering fall camp?” he said.

“Cade’s the starting quarterback,” Harbaugh clarified after a follow-up. “We line up first practice, it’s going to be him with the first team.

“Now, eventually, over the training camp, JJ will get the same opportunity. … They’re both going to get a ton of reps,” Harbaugh said. “There’ll be time for them to have that competition and determine who the starting quarterback is for the first game.”