J.J. McCarty is one of the most talented young quarterbacks in the country, and a guy who may have found himself on some Heisman watch lists this season if he had played a full year in 2021.

Forced to work his way up the quarterbacks ladder for the Michigan Wolverines under Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, McCarthy is scheduled to start against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at the Big House on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET ‘Under the Lights.’

McCarthy will start in place of Cade McNamara, who turned in one of the most underwhelming performances of his life against the Colorado State Rams in week one with 136 yards on 9-of-18 passing and a touchdown.

McCarthy won’t admit it publicly but his start against Hawaii may be his best opportunity to wrestle the starting job away from McNamara once and for all.

On Tuesday, September 6, Wolverines beat writer Angelique Chengelis posted a video of McCarthy at the team’s press conference discussing his thoughts on Jim Harbaugh’s surprising decision to name him the week two starter.

“That decision is something out that’s out of my control, McCarthy said. “I never really took into the thought process of, oh, I should be the guy, this is my job,” he added.

“That’s not for me to decide,” he continued before discussing what he has been focusing on in the days leading up to the big game instead.

McCarthy’s Response When Asked About His Relationship with McNamara

 

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McCarthy said that he hasn’t let the media’s viewpoint on the quarterback competition with McNamara cloud his judgment.

He had the following to say about it according to Chengelis, who has covered the team for several years with The Detroit News. 

McCarthy ran for 50 yards and a touchdown against the Rams while throwing for 30 yards and completing four out of four passes.

Recently, former Michigan tight end Jake Butt discussed what McCarthy brings to the table for the Big Ten Network, namely more big plays and better running ability at the position.