Key things Jim Harbaugh said at Big Ten Media Days
Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh took his turn at Big Ten Media Days and here are some thoughts on key things he said.
If people were hoping that Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh was going to comment on his potential suspension at Big Ten Media Days, they were disappointed.
Harbaugh didn’t address the reporting from earlier this week that he’s facing a four-game suspension due to NCAA “infractions.”
Those infractions include saying “I don’t recall” when asked about buying burgers for recruits, as well as watching workouts over Zoom, and texting outside of an allowed time period.
Here’s what Harbaugh said when asked about the subject on Thursday at Big Ten Media Days:
Jim Harbaugh said he would love to "lay it all out there" and that he has nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to the expected four-game suspension, but declines to comment because it's ongoing.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) July 27, 2023
You could tell he wanted to talk about it and rip into the NCAA, as he should. But he saw smart and probably made the higher-ups at Michigan happy with his performance.
Here are some other key things from Jim Harbaugh’s Big Ten Media Days press conference.
J.J. McCarthy is a ‘once in a generation quarterback for Michigan’
Harbaugh spoke glowingly about his starting quarterback. He called McCarthy a generational quarterback and even compared him to Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen in terms of all the things he does for the Michigan football team.
Jim Harbaugh called J.J. McCarthy a once in a generation talent at QB for Michigan Football.
— Trevor Woods (@WoodsFootball) July 27, 2023
I said recently that McCarthy has some Mahomes in him and I believe that to be true. With his ability to escape, run, and make pin-point throws that few others can, he’s got abilities that very few college quarterbacks have.
Harbaugh said McCarthy’s first season as a starter was the best that he could recall. I’m a huge believer in McCarthy and think he’ll be a first-round pick in April.
His head coach is a believer too.
‘The secret is out’ about Colston Loveland
Jim Harbaugh started talking about his Michigan football players and one thing that stood out to me was his praise for Colston Loveland.
Loveland was dominant down the stretch as a freshman and the expectations are really high for his sophomore season. Jake Butt recently said that Loveland could be the best tight end in Michigan football history.
On Thursday, Harbaugh said, “The longer he takes to realize how good he is, the better off he’ll be,” in reference to Colston Loveland. But he also said, “The secret is out.”
Harbaugh says "the longer he takes to realize how good he is, the better off he'll be" about Colston Loveland, but then adds "the secret's out. He's really good."
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) July 27, 2023
Harbaugh address ‘The Game’
Ryan Day made some headlines on Wednesday when he said that he thought the timing of the annual Michigan football and Ohio State game should be talked about.
Harbaugh said they would play the game “whenever scheduled”, which I took to mean if they also played in the Big Ten title game, the Michigan Wolverines would be happy for another shot at their rival. But the timing is tradition now and shouldn’t be changed.
Jim Harbaugh on the Michigan-OSU game: "We'll play that whenever it's scheduled. We know we'll face them at least once a year."
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) July 27, 2023
Said he'll expect it to stay the same "it's part of the Thanksgiving tradition now"
Blake Corum’s return ‘made his offseason’
Every Michigan football fan is over the moon at the fact that Blake Corum is back. He was so special last season and getting to watch him wear a winged helmet against is a privilege.
Jim Harbaugh was certainly happy about it. Harbaugh said when Corum told him: “It made my day, made my week, made my offseason.”
Jim Harbaugh on Blake Corum opting to return for his senior season: "Made my day, made my week, made my offseason."
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) July 27, 2023
Corum recently said that he was going to be “The Old Blake plus some” which is a scary thought for Michigan football opponents this season. I just can’t wait to see him healthy, running with the football again, because he’s as fun to watch as anyone in college football.
Harbaugh offers update on cornerback competition
Jim didn’t say much that will give a lot of insight into how the 2023 season will go, but he did offer some thoughts on the cornerback competition.
Amorion Walker is a name Michigan football fans have been tracking at the position since the spring. Josh Wallace was just added from Massachusetts in the transfer portal, and the other contender named by Harbaugh is Ja’Den McBurrows.
Jim Harbaugh cites Amorion Walker, Josh Wallace and Ja'Den McBurrows are the main three contenders at cornerback.
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) July 27, 2023
Said it may go into the season to decide.
McBurrows is a player Michigan football fans forget about. But he has looked really good during his career when healthy.
Next. Michigan is undefeated against these FBS teams. dark
Harbaugh said that competition could carry on into the season, which isn’t a bad thing. You can never have enough quality corners and it’s likely that all the guys competing will be needed at one time or another.