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Michigan Football: 5 newcomers who’ll have instant impacts in 2021

By Chris Peterson

IMG Academy's Jj Mccarthy (9) looks for an opening against Ravenwood during the second half at Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tenn., Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.Rhs Img 092520 An 019
IMG Academy's Jj Mccarthy (9) looks for an opening against Ravenwood during the second half at Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tenn., Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.Rhs Img 092520 An 019 /
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Of all the newcomers, which includes freshmen and transfers, here are the five who’ll make the biggest impact on Michigan football in 2021. 

It’s pretty wild, but we are just more than 50 days away from Michigan football taking the field at the Big House for the season opener against Western Michigan.

Michigan fans are obviously looking forward to the season, but there is trepidation too. People are wondering if Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines can bounce back from last season’s disaster or if that was a sign of things to come?

Although the Wolverines do have talent, the schedule is quite challenging, and some of their best players are young or unproven. Some of the players that need to take a step forward have already been around the program for a few years.

Guys like that include Aidan Hutchinson, Daxton Hill, Chris Hinton, Mazi Smith, and other big names that need to deliver this fall. Yet, the Wolverines also need more star power and that’s where some of the newcomers can factor in this season and down the road.

The most important position is quarterback. And Michigan football needs to find a stud or it’s never going to have a chance to beat the Ohio State’s of the world.

J.J. McCarthy is supposed to be that guy. But how soon will he become the starter? That’s where our list of five impact newcomers begins.

5-star QB

McCarthy’s development is going to be something to watch all season long. Cade McNamara is the starting quarterback coming out of spring, but McCarthy is expected to play at some point this season and if he doesn’t, it’s a wasted opportunity.

While he still has to learn the offense, it’s clear he’s the most talented quarterback on the team and people have said that Jim Harbaugh lights up when he talks about him.

So unless McNamara plays as well as Drew Brees did the year Philip Rivers was a rookie and just forces the staff to keep J.J. on the sideline, McCarthy has to play. If he plays well, it could set up a really big 2022 season for the Wolverines.

But even if he struggles, he needs experience and while it won’t all go to plan this year, he will show fans why he was so highly rated coming out of high school.

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