Ahead of Michigan’s and Washington’s national championship game on Monday night, quarterback J.J. McCarthy of the Wolverines was compared to the top pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
McCarthy’s 6’2″, 202-pound frame reminds Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer of Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, according to an AFC college scouting director.
“When I see him in person, I’m surprised by how small he is,” the scouting director remarked. He appears to be an elongated version of Bryce Young. Having said that, he is a fierce competitor and tough as they come.”
McCarthy won’t benefit from the comparison to Young, as the former Alabama standout had a difficult rookie season and was outplayed by several quarterbacks in his draft class.
McCarthy is listed as the No. 7 quarterback in the 2024 class on B/R’smostrecent draft big board. Due to McCarthy’s build, B/R NFL scout Derrik Klassen wrote, “At 202 pounds, McCarthy is terribly light for the position, which is especially concerning for someone who isn’t a special athlete.” Klassen expressed some concern about McCarthy’s build.
McCarthy will attempt to lead Michigan to its first national championship since 1997 on Monday, and he will have the opportunity to silence his skeptics.
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Alabama Crimson Tide: Nick Saban’s Team Stunned With Sudden News From 65-Year-Old Defensive Coordinator Kevin Steele
After an unlikely comeback to make it to the final four, the Michigan Wolverines put up a valiant overtime effort to knock the Alabama Crimson Tide out of the College Football Playoff.
The majority of fans and the media across the nation were writing the Tide out early in the 2023 college football season. It took a great deal of hardship for Nick Saban’s young team to find its footing.
Although this year’s team wasn’t as strong as previous years under longtime defensive coordinator Kevin Steele—who returned to Tuscaloosa in 2023 after serving as Nick Saban’s assistant in 2007, the team still finished No. 18 in the nation.
Although Steele’s defense gave up just 32 touchdowns this season, it did allow 315 yards per game and five yards per play.
