INDIANAPOLIS — Jim Harbaugh offered little update on Michigan’s pending quarterback competition, praising both players in a session with reporters on Tuesday.
Harbaugh, speaking at Lucas Oil Stadium for Big Ten Media Days, told the media that his coaching staff “made it work” last year with Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy, both of whom “had phenomenal seasons.”
“J.J. in his true-freshman year; Cade in his junior year,” Harbaugh said. “Both played outstanding, winning football every time they went out there.”
It was the first time Harbaugh had talked football publicly since early-June, when he appeared at a football camp in Big Rapids, Mich., and told reporters that he anticipated a “competitive” competition between McNamara and McCarthy.
McNamara, who started all 14 games for Michigan’s Big Ten championship team, was one of four players invited by Harbaugh to Indianapolis, site of the annual two-day media event. He fielded questions for an hour after.
“I’ve got a really cool stat on Cade McNamara,” Harbaugh offered reporters. “Over 50 percent of his drives end in points. I don’t know, exactly, what the number is for J.J. — but it seems like every time he got in there and led a drive, it ended in points as well.”
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Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh gives encouragement to quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) before the true freshman takes his first career snap in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Western Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. Michigan won 47-14. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)AP
McNamara threw for more than 2,500 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, impressing coaches with his ability to operate Michigan’s offense and commit few mistakes. Meanwhile, McCarthy appeared in 11 games but never got a start, throwing for 516 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 124 yards and two more scores.
McCarthy, a former five-star recruit, has the stronger arm and more play-making ability. But he was limited in spring practice with a shoulder injury, and prone to mistakes last season. McCarthy finished the year with two interceptions and was involved in a crucial fumble in the loss to Michigan State.
“They ask sometimes at other positions: Who’s going to play? The best player is going to play,” Harbaugh said. “We’re going to know who the best player is by who plays the best.”
Michigan players have been instructed to report back to campus on Aug. 2, with training camp set to officially start next Wednesday, Aug. 3. The team will then have a full 30 days before the season gets underway Sept. 3 against Colorado State.
Harbaugh hasn’t ruled out the idea of playing both again, but was short on details of how such an arrangement would look.
“Cade McNamara is going to be really tough to beat out for the starting quarterback job,” Harbaugh said. “J.J. McCarthy is going to be really tough to beat out for the starting quarterback job.”
In other words, he isn’t ready to declare a frontrunner publicly — or appear like he’s ready to take a side.
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Jim Harbaugh still mum on pending Michigan QB battle ahead of camp - MLive.com
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