J.J. McCarthy will be much improved in 2023 for Michigan Football

J.J. McCarthy has a lot of doubters but here’s one prediction about the Michigan football quarterback: He’ll be much better in 2023. 

If you haven’t noticed, there is a pattern of opposing fans bashing Michigan football starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy on Twitter.

People have called him a “game manager” and have scoffed at the notion that McCarthy could be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

When NFL scouts talk about McCarthy as a first-round pick, it’s easy to see why. These guys aren’t always right. But McCarthy has exceptional talent.

Yes, he was inaccurate at times last season. He also could have been more accurate on the deep balls. However, outside of the interceptions against TCU, J.J. McCarthy was spectacular over the final three games and the two picks were due to bad decisions more than bad throws.

McCarthy threw some absolute dimes in that game. He’s a playmaker and his ability to extend plays is useful for Michigan football and will be really useful in the NFL, particularly with how he’s able to throw on the run.

J.J. McCarty will be better in 2023

Anyone that says McCarthy isn’t a first-round talent hasn’t watched him throw. However, he was inconsistent at times in 2022. One reason for that is that he had offseason shoulder surgery and missed the entire spring.

It surely took him time to get acclimated and he missed throws early in the year that he wasn’t missing later. This year, his accuracy should be even better. The deep ball should be better and most importantly, the decision-making will be better.

McCarthy fell just three touchdown passes shy of the school record and completed 64.6 percent of his passes. His running ability is also an important weapon, especially in key spots and it was vital in the wins over Ohio State and Penn State.

But the idea that McCarthy will improve is pretty simple. Most quarterbacks improve during their second full season as a starter and J.J. will too. The game will slow down for him, he’ll be more comfortable throwing the ball and the coaches will trust him to make plays more.

Those are all worrisome things for opposing defenses, who are going to be happy that he’s headed to the NFL in the 2024 NFL draft. Some might call that a bold prediction — the idea that J.J. McCarthy will be better in 2023 — that’s just common sense.