J.J. McCarthy is targeted on the Rose Bowl and Michigan’s title hopes — not his potential NFL future

LOS ANGELES — The largest query surrounding J.J. McCarthy going into the Rose Bowl isn’t if this would be the junior quarterback’s last sport in maize and blue.

That one can wait a few weeks.

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The extra quick concern for the top-ranked Wolverines is ensuring McCarthy is wholesome after he struggled with a lingering ankle harm through the second half of the season.

On Friday morning, the junior gave himself a clear invoice of well being as Michigan (13-0) continues preparations for its School Soccer Playoff semifinal sport in opposition to No. 4 Alabama (12-1).

“Every part is nice when it comes to ankles, knees, head, shoulders,” he stated.

Despite the fact that Michigan went unbeaten within the common season for a second straight 12 months, McCarthy and the Wolverines weren’t firing on all cylinders down the stretch.

McCarthy had 137 yards on 37 carries and three touchdowns in his first 9 video games. In his previous 4, he has 9 yards on 20 carries and no TDs.

The ankle harm additionally had an impact on McCarthy’s passing. He has averaged solely 124 passing yards throughout his previous 4 video games and accounted for one landing, fairly a drop from the 237.1 common and 18 TD tosses to start out the season.

Regardless of the accidents, McCarthy’s poise within the huddle is a large cause why he’s 25-1 as a starter. Nevertheless, with all of the discuss Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe’s athleticism and skill to be elusive below strain, McCarthy is hoping to indicate that he shouldn’t be ignored in these areas.

He realizes he could have to try this loads in opposition to an Alabama cross rush that completed tied for eleventh within the nation with 38 sacks.

“I really feel like with a purpose to beat this crew, while you see the groups that get near beating them or have overwhelmed them, the quarterback is working the soccer so much, and getting these six yards when nothing is available,” he stated.

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Coincidentally, McCarthy thinks the one space he has improved essentially the most is shifting round within the pocket and preserve his eyes downfield.

“Ensuring when the alternatives are at hand to scramble I’m good in any respect palms and ensuring we are able to harm them in a second like that,” he stated.

McCarthy was 14th amongst quarterbacks from Energy 5 faculties in proportion of quick passes (0-9 yards) at 43.9%, however he’s additionally correct when throwing the deep ball. He was 24 of 44 with 10 touchdowns passes of 20 air yards or extra, together with his 54.5% completion charge solely being surpassed by Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels of LSU (63.6%).

Total, McCarthy was second nationally in completion proportion (74.2%) behind Oregon’s Bo Nix.

By getting the Wolverines again to the CFP, McCarthy confirmed he was a person of his phrase. After watching TCU rejoice its 51-45 victory on the Fiesta Bowl final 12 months, McCarthy took one query through the postgame press convention and stated “We shall be again, I promise you that” after which left.

If Michigan needs to play for its first nationwide title since 1997, McCarthy might want to play mistake free. Regardless of throwing for 343 yards, dashing for 52 and accounting for 3 touchdowns, it was a pick-6 in final 12 months’s semifinal that ended Michigan’s season.

This time, although, McCarthy looks like he’s higher ready.

“I really feel like final 12 months I bought caught up within the noise and all of the feelings of it, and I’m simply making an attempt to remain easy,” he stated. “I believe for the skin, it’s the largest sport in Michigan historical past, one of many largest video games in school soccer historical past.

“We’ve simply bought to attempt to preserve issues easy, and clearly the magnitude of it’s big. However we attempt to not concentrate on that and simply concentrate on every play at hand.”

In relation to subsequent season, McCarthy did go away open the opportunity of returning even when coach Jim Harbaugh goes to the NFL and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore was promoted. Moore was the pinnacle coach for 4 video games throughout Harbaugh’s two suspensions.

“Sure I do however I really feel like I can play (within the NFL now) however there may be a lot extra the place I can develop and develop. There are lots of extra issues to assist put together me,” McCarthy stated.