Michigan's JJ McCarthy Among Top Five Highest-Graded Quarterbacks At Midway Point

Michigan's JJ McCarthy has been incredibly efficient this season, and Pro Football Focus has listed him as one of the highest graded quarterbacks through the first six weeks.

The No. 2 Michigan Wolverines have been absolutely dominant throughout the first six weeks of the season, cruising to a perfect 6-0 record. That dominance is reflected in a number of ways, including the fact that JJ McCarthy has spent nearly every minute of every fourth quarter cheering on his teammates from the sidelines. In fact, the junior QB has attempted just 4 fourth quarter passes to this point in the season. 

Although his reps might be relatively limited when compared to some of the other top performing quarterbacks around the country, McCarthy still graded out as a top-five QB after six weeks according to PFF College. 

Highest graded Quarterbacks this season⭐️ pic.twitter.com/ZPJJOm6aE2

— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 11, 2023

While it would be understandable for a starting quarterback to become frustrated by only playing in three quarters of each game, McCarthy embraces it. For Michigan's QB1, spending a majority of the fourth quarter watching from the sidelines serves as a benefit in many ways. 

"It’s extremely beneficial for my body," McCarthy said in his postgame presser after Minnesota. "My ankle wasn’t feeling 100%, and just being able to rest in that time and just doing it week by week. It just shows a testament to how fast we're starting and how well our defense is playing. I’ll be fine sitting out the fourth quarter every game if it comes down to that."

Photo: Christopher Breiler

In addition to the rest and the fact that the defense is playing lights out, McCarthy also enjoys seeing his teammates get opportunities as a result of Michigan's early dominance. 

"It's amazing, because, not necessarily the rest I get, but it's seeing those 2's and 3's get in there and really move the ball especially. So it's just great seeing those guys that put in as much work as we do get out there to capitalize on opportunities."

It's that type of selflessness that makes McCarthy a perfect fit for this Michigan Football program. During his weekly podcast on Monday, FOX college football analyst Joel Klatt highlighted that point.  

"Do you know why they're so unique?" asked Klatt. "Their quarterback seems to care this much -- flashing a big zero on the screen -- zero cares about his stats. You see, if they had a guy that went there and wanted more NIL dollars, wanted to throw for -- lead the country in passing and wanted to throw 40 touchdowns, it wouldn't work. A player like that would be too selfish for Michigan. J.J. McCarthy in a lot of ways is the perfect guy, not just as a player, but a guy for Michigan. He doesn't care if he throws it 18, 19, or 20 times. He knows that's why they win."

McCarthy and the Wolverines return to the Big House this weekend to take on Indiana. The game is scheduled to kickoff at noon on FOX.