Michigan Football: J.J. McCarthy among players impressing in fall camp

Jim Harbaugh doesn’t allow much access to the media but here are some rumblings from Michigan football’s fall camp. 

While some programs allow a lot of access to reporters during training camps, Michigan football isn’t one of them and information is hard to come by.

But we have started to hear some of what’s been happening.  Some of it is from reporters who have been talking to sources behind the scenes, while much more is coming from Jim Harbaugh who opened up about camp on the “In The Trenches” Podcast with Jon Jansen.

According to interviews from coaches and sources, five-star freshman quarterback J.J. McCarthy is one of the players on the rise. He enrolled early and took part in practice this spring. Since then he has been working on learning his playbook and Harbaugh called him a “Steady Eddie.”

"“It’s been real. It’s been outstanding. He flashes all the time; every practice. The plays that are big plays. They’re excellent throws or using his athleticism. He’s grown in the area of being a ‘steady Eddie’ type player. Who wouldn’t wanna be Ryan Tannehill? He knows he’s got some real players in the backfield and at the receiver.”"

Harbaugh also said good things about Cade McNarama and I’d still expect him to start the opener, but it’s a positive sign for the future that McCarthy is playing well early and at some point this season, he’s going to get his chance.

Another player that has been mentioned consistently is linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green. Harbaugh said he looked like a starting-caliber player — something he also said (via 247 sports) about true freshman Junior Colson too.

"“Nikhai Hill-Green. He’s not a sophomore like you would think of a sophomore. The way he studies the game,” “He’s right where you want him to be. Junior Colson has a lot of experience from the spring and is knocking at the door to be a starting football player as well."

To me, that’s a big deal because linebacker depth was a concern going into the 2021 season. Michael Barrett and Josh Ross are the expected starters, but Hill-Green is clearly in the mix and it’s possible he could start along with Barrett and Ross depending on the alignment.

DJ Turner’s rise has been consistent and it’s now expected that he will be starting for the Wolverines instead of Vincent Gray.

George Johnson has also turned heads, while others mentioned included receiver Roman Wilson, as well as D-lineman Mazi Smith, and Julus Welschof among some others.

Those aren’t the only players who have impressed but the fact that McCarthy is one of the guys turning heads is music to the ears of Michigan football fans.