Michigan Insight: Is J.J. McCarthy’s Michigan’s greatest QB? Jim Harbaugh thinks As National Title Validates his Claims…

J.J. McCarthy, the quarterback for Michigan, almost had a disastrous first Rose Bowl pass.

On the first play from scrimmage, McCarthy, who was attempting to toss the ball away down the sideline, fired it straight to Alabama safety Caleb Downs. McCarthy approached Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh with a trot as he left the field.

McCarthy stated on the College Football Playoff teleconference on Wednesday, “I was expecting to get chewed out and all this, but with Coach Harbaugh, it was just, ‘Hey, man, it’s good you got that out of your system.'” “‘Let’s roll out.”

Harbaugh had experienced that exact same circumstance before.

“He’s clearly throwing the ball away, and I can tell you having made a bad play in a football game, it’s like a train going through your head,” Harbaugh stated. You notice that it’s crimson. It like a loud siren.”

It resolved itself. Replay overturned the interception. McCarthy led No. 1 Michigan to a 27–20 victory over No. 4 Alabama by passing for 221 yards and three touchdowns. Following that, Harbaugh made a declaration about the junior quarterback.

“This is the greatest quarterback in University of Michigan – college football history,” Harbaugh said. “Got a long way to go to get to where Tom Brady eventually got to, which is the GOAT. He lapped the field when it comes to that, but  in a college career there’s been nobody at Michigan better than J.J..”

Though it’s a long way from being chewed out, that comment makes sense when you consider Michigan’s past national championship quarterbacks, all-time statistical leaders, and potential spots for McCarthy at the next level. A closer examination

What is J.J. McCarthy’s record at Michigan?

J.J. McCarthy became 26-1 as the starter at Michigan with the win over them. He guided the Michigan football team to consecutive wins over Ohio State, which included a 45-23 triumph on November 26, 2022, the team’s first victory at Ohio Stadium since 2000.

McCarthy and former Florida State quarterback Jamies Winston are tied for third place all-time among FBS quarterbacks in winning percentage, per Sports Science Stats from IFS. Chuck Ealey of Toledo went 35-0 in 1969–1971; Jimmy Harris of Oklahoma went 25-0 in 1954–1955.

Under McCarthy’s direction, Michigan won two consecutive Big Ten titles and made it to the College Football Playoffs. McCarthy now has an opportunity to become the third quarterback in the AP Poll era to lead the Wolverines to a national championship.

Who was Michigan’s last national championship QB?

If McCarthy defeats the Huskies, he might become a member of elite company. The Poll Era saw Michigan win two AP national titles.

In 1948, Pete Elliott played quarterback for Michigan, a 9-0 team led by coach Bennie Oosterbaan that outscored opponents 252-44 in the game. Elliott then became an executive at the Pro Football Hall of Fame after serving as head coach at Nebraska, Cal, Illinois, and Miami.

In 1997, Michigan’s starting quarterback was Brian Griese, and the team defeated Washington State 21–16 in the Rose Bowl. The Wolverines and Nebraska split the national title that season, and Griese was chosen Rose Bowl MVP. Griese spent 11 seasons in the NFL, worked as an ESPN college football analyst, and is currently the quarterbacks coach for the San Francisco 49ers.

J.J. McCarthy and Michigan’s all-time passing leaders

McCarthy’s 6,086 throwing yards rank sixth in Michigan history overall, trailing only Devin Gardner (6,336), Denard Robinson (6,250), Elvis Grbac (6,460), and Chad Henne (9,715). At Michigan, Henne, Grbac, and Navarre all took home Big Ten titles.

McCarthy and Robinson are tied for the most career touchdown passes (49)—one more than Michigan great Rick Leach. The only quarterbacks with more are Grbac (71) and Henne (87), followed by Navarre (72).

J.J. McCarthy and Michigan first-round QBs in NFL Draft

In the Common Draft era, Michigan has selected 13 quarterbacks, with one well-known name being selected in the first round.

In the 1987 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears selected Harbaugh with the 26th overall pick. In his 14 seasons in the NFL, Harbaugh amassed 26,288 yards, 129 touchdowns, and 117 interceptions.

Harbaugh’s first quarterback at Michigan was the final quarterback selected in the NFL Draft out of Michigan. The Detroit Lions selected Jake Rudock in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Those quarterbacks broken down by the round of the draft:

Michigan QBs in NFL Draft

YEAR	ROUND	PLAYER	TEAM
1987	1 (26)	Jim Harbaugh	Chicago Bears
1984	2 (33)	Steve Smith*	San Diego Chargers
1995	2 (45)	Todd Collins	Buffalo Bills
2008	2 (57)	Chad Henne	Miami Dolphins
1998	3 (91)	Brian Griese	Denver Broncos
1958	5 (54)	Jim Van Pelt	Washington Redskins
1979	5 (132)	Rick Leach	Denver Broncos
2016	6 (191)	Jake Rudock	Detroit Lions
2003	6 (192)	Drew Henson	Houston Texans
2000	6 (199)	Tom Brady	New England Patriots
2004	7 (202)	John Navarre	Arizona Cardinals
1993	8 (219)	Elvis Grbac	San Francisco 49ers
1974	15 (373)	Larry Cipa	New Orleans Saints

*Denotes Supplemental Draft pick

Is J.J. McCarthy Michigan’s greatest QB?

McCarthy, according to Harbaugh, was the elite quarterback from Michigan.

Harbaugh remarked, “I know we talk about it as an amalgamation of quarterbacks.” “He is that guy.”

Based on an analysis of Michigan’s top quarterbacks since the start of the Bo Schembechler era, Harbaugh appears to be correct in his opinion. Taking a peek at the quarterbacks that will be discussed:

YEARS	QB	RECORD	VS OSU	YARDS	TDS	INTS
1971-1974	Dennis Franklin	30-2-1	0-2-1	2,285	18	12
1975-78	Rick Leach	38-8-2	3-1	3,799	45	29
1983-86	Jim Harbaugh	24-5-1	2-0	5,214	31	19
1994-97	Brian Griese	17-5	3-0	3,663	27	15
1995-99	Tom Brady	20-5	1-1	4,773	30	17
2004-07	Chad Henne	32-13	0-4	9,715	87	37
2022-present	J.J. McCarthy	26-1	2-0	6,086	49	11

The quarterbacks for Michigan at the height of the Ten-Year War with Ohio State were Franklin and Leach. Harbaugh’s accomplishments as a player and coach, together with his connections to the past and present, have made him a program icon. Brady’s NFL success makes him the program’s best ambassador, and Griese earned a national title. Henne started for four seasons and had impressive stats.

Based on his performance against the Buckeyes, his statistical profile, and his promising NFL future, McCarthy brings a little bit of all that to the table. A national title would elevate him to a higher level.

Is J.J. McCarthy the next Tom Brady?

Why did Harbaugh compare himself to Brady?

While starting for Michigan, Brady had a 20-5 record, but like McCarthy, he helped the Wolverines defeat Alabama in the bowl. In the 2000 Orange Bowl, Brady led Michigan’s Wolverines to a 35-34 victory over the Crimson Tide. Brady was a backup quarterback on the 1997 Michigan team that won the national title.

Of course, after spending his entire NFL career with the Patriots and Buccaneers, Brady went on to win seven Super Bowls. On Wednesday, McCarthy was questioned regarding his relationship with Brady.

“He’s just given me a lot of advice on how to watch film throughout the week and what he did and especially in big games,” McCarthy explained. “Just little advice like that, just how to handle yourself emotionally and a bunch of other advice about health and well-being and all the tremendous things he’s done with his life in that area.”