Michigan Football: Don’t forget about Dylan McCaffrey at quarterback
Michigan football is getting ready for a quarterback battle this fall but it seems like Dylan McCaffrey is the forgotten man when people talk about the position.
When Dylan McCaffrey committed to the Michigan football program, it was hard not to be excited. After all, this was about a month after Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines defeated Florida in the Citrus Bowl, leading up to the 2016 season.
McCaffrey who was ranked as a top-10 quarterback by every recruiting service, was a superstar in his own right when he committed and he was supposed to be the next big thing at quarterback.
Of course, the transfer of Shea Patterson to Michigan football slowed down that train. Now, as McCaffrey sets to enter his redshirt junior season, it’s do or die if he wants to be the Wolverines’ starting quarterback.
Some have predicted that McCaffrey would win the job, not necessarily because he’s better than Joe Milton, but because he’s more experienced. Yet, others have fallen in love with Milton’s arm strength and think, as the QB with the most potential, he should start.
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Not only is McCaffrey overshadowed by Milton, who dazzles anytime he throws a football, but in all honesty, McCaffrey is probably overlooked somewhat due to five-star commit J.J. McCarthy too.
Much of the narrative surrounding Michigan football and the quarterback position is McCarthy and Milton are going to be the next superstars, the guys to lead U-M into the next era of football and finally have some success against Ohio State.
Most will agree the lack of an elite quarterback has been an issue. What’s harder to agree on is who will be the answer to that question?
When you see Milton throwing the football, he looks like an NFL passer. Former Michigan starter Devin Gardner, who has been working out with Milton offered this praise earlier this week on a local radio show on station WTKA:
"“Seeing Joe throw extensively over this time, it’s very hard to say that any person in the country could have an edge over him with the talent that he has.”"
Sandwiched between the ultra-talented Milton and the next big thing (McCarthy) is McCaffrey, who comes from pretty good stock as his dad, Ed McCaffrey and brother Christian, who now plays for the Panthers, have NFL backgrounds, along with one of his brothers. Another, Luke, currently plays at Nebraska and they have all been training together to stay in shape via ESPN.
McCaffrey has the NFL pedigree and when’s he played, he’s shown flashes of success, throwing three touchdowns and rushing for two more, while averaging nearly eight yards per rush attempt.
The fourth-year Wolverine is talented, experienced and at one time, he was thought to be the savior Milton and McCarthy are now.
Next. 5 true freshman who will play for Michigan in 2020. dark
It’s fully possible that Dylan opens the year as the starter and never gives the job back. Whether it’s him or someone else who finally helps Michigan over the hump, McCaffrey shouldn’t be discounted. He has as much upside as anyone.