Jim Harbaugh Heaps Praise Onto JJ McCarthy
Even though Michigan is in the middle of being investigated amid the sign-stealing allegations, quarterback JJ McCarthy is still riding high. He's 21-1 as a starter, he's running the show for the No. 3 team in the country, he's in the discussion as a Heisman Trophy candidate and he's being billed as a first-round draft pick. Life is good. Throw in how Jim Harbaugh feels about him and life is good for both McCarthy and Michigan's head coach.
"He's a beloved son," Harbaugh said of McCarthy during today's media availability. "Everything about him. The way he approaches everything, you know, the way he treats young kids, the way he treats adults. The respect that he has. He'll pop up off his chair to go shake somebody's hand. He has gratitude for everything."
McCarthy has even had an impact on Harbaugh's young son, Jack.
"My son Jack feels like JJ is his best friend; that's his role model," Harbaugh said with a huge smile. "That's a beautiful thing and JJ makes him feel that way. I've seen that with dozens of kids. You just want to hug him, you know? It's like, 'Hey, I just need one.' That's the kind of guy that he is."
As much as Harbaugh loves McCarthy as a person, friend and leader, he loves him just as much as a football player. For a true football guy like Harbaugh, he could not have built a better quarterback in a lab.
"In my mind, he's Tom Brady in his in his preparation and in his willingness to be coached," Harbaugh said. "He wants to do anything and everything that he can for his own personal growth and also for the team.
"And then he's got this side of him that I've only seen in one other quarterback - Jim McMahon - which is the love of playing and the fun that a guy has playing the game of football. I've never seen that - that personality and being ultra competitive, but empathetic. He's like a blend of Tom Brady and Jim McMahon from what I've seen. It's hard not to love that."
