Here are tonight's Blue Chips...
*** I spent my Friday at a private workout featuring Michigan quarterback commit JJ McCarthy, who is back in Chicago for the holidays. McCarthy looks noticeably thicker than he did in the summer when he departed for IMG. Frame has always been a knock on McCarthy, but there isn't really anything skinny about him anymore. He has filled out nicely and obviously got a boost from being at IMG, which has top notch facilities, trainers and nutritionists. I even had someone text me and ask if JJ had gotten taller. He's definitely a solid 6-foot-2 and may even have a half inch more. Overall, MCarthy will still likely add some muscle weight at Michigan, but he looks ready to compete right now. He should get some quality reps during spring ball.
*** I've written so much about McCarthy, so there isn't anything I can say that you haven't heard already. He looks more polished in his throwing mechanics, which were already elite, the ball continues to pop out of his hand and he can make basically any throw he wants. McCarthy worked on several play action and RPO drills, and he just looked so natural going through them. His trainer, Greg Holcomb, who is knows for putting JJ through unconventional drills, allowed the Rivals100 prospect to show his escapablity as well as his ability to throw on the move during the latter part of the session. That's when JJ is at his best. He can make plays with his legs when he has pads on, but he's without a doubt a pass first guy that can kill you with his arm strength and ball placement.
*** Everybody should know by now that JJ is one of the best leaders I've ever covered. From showing support for his fellow quarterbacks at the session to helping out the wide receivers to doing push ups after some bad throws to being a vocal presence, McCarthy is everything you want at the position from an intangibles standpoint. The dude has that 'it' factor that I've written about many times in the past. And it's so crazy how much respect he commands. Guys at the session wanted to talk to him afterwards and take photos with him. Everybody loves JJ. With that must attention, it's likely hard to stay humble. But you won't meet a more respectful kid than JJ. And that's the the thing. He's still a kid. It was cool to see him having fun with his 360 and jump passes and just brightening the room with his smile.
*** JJ obviously has a special rapport with former teammate and top 2022 Michigan wide receiver target Tyler Morris, who was at the session as well. Morris and McCarthy linked up a few times during the day, but there were a lot of pass catchers and a good amount of quarterbacks. When they were paired up, you could see the chemistry. Morris got to spend the weekend in Ann Arbor with McCarthy earlier this month, and JJ is playing a huge role in his recruitment. I still feel like the Wolverines have the overall edge with him. And that's huge. Morris is an elite level route runner with some of the best hands I've ever seen. I saw him drop a pass today for the first time in a long time. The drop drew a couple of jokes because Morris literally catches everything in his vicinity. He would be a target machine in Michigan's offense, especially with JJ at the helm.
*** Lastly, Michigan is still on the prowl for a quarterback commit in 2022. It's a weak year at the position, and I feel like it's going to be tough to lure a big-time talent to come in after McCarthy. A project like three-star prospect Kaden Cobb could be an option. When he's on, he's capable of making some beautiful throws. He also has a terrific build at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds. I really love the athletic profile. But he's very inconsistent and still has a lot to work on from a mechanical standpoint. He should get better with continued work with Holcomb. If he does progress, I would take a shot. He loves McCarthy and would be willing to come in and learn behind him. Cobb has offers from Boston College, Missouri, West Virginia and others. The upside is certainly there.
*** I spent my Friday at a private workout featuring Michigan quarterback commit JJ McCarthy, who is back in Chicago for the holidays. McCarthy looks noticeably thicker than he did in the summer when he departed for IMG. Frame has always been a knock on McCarthy, but there isn't really anything skinny about him anymore. He has filled out nicely and obviously got a boost from being at IMG, which has top notch facilities, trainers and nutritionists. I even had someone text me and ask if JJ had gotten taller. He's definitely a solid 6-foot-2 and may even have a half inch more. Overall, MCarthy will still likely add some muscle weight at Michigan, but he looks ready to compete right now. He should get some quality reps during spring ball.
*** I've written so much about McCarthy, so there isn't anything I can say that you haven't heard already. He looks more polished in his throwing mechanics, which were already elite, the ball continues to pop out of his hand and he can make basically any throw he wants. McCarthy worked on several play action and RPO drills, and he just looked so natural going through them. His trainer, Greg Holcomb, who is knows for putting JJ through unconventional drills, allowed the Rivals100 prospect to show his escapablity as well as his ability to throw on the move during the latter part of the session. That's when JJ is at his best. He can make plays with his legs when he has pads on, but he's without a doubt a pass first guy that can kill you with his arm strength and ball placement.
*** Everybody should know by now that JJ is one of the best leaders I've ever covered. From showing support for his fellow quarterbacks at the session to helping out the wide receivers to doing push ups after some bad throws to being a vocal presence, McCarthy is everything you want at the position from an intangibles standpoint. The dude has that 'it' factor that I've written about many times in the past. And it's so crazy how much respect he commands. Guys at the session wanted to talk to him afterwards and take photos with him. Everybody loves JJ. With that must attention, it's likely hard to stay humble. But you won't meet a more respectful kid than JJ. And that's the the thing. He's still a kid. It was cool to see him having fun with his 360 and jump passes and just brightening the room with his smile.
*** JJ obviously has a special rapport with former teammate and top 2022 Michigan wide receiver target Tyler Morris, who was at the session as well. Morris and McCarthy linked up a few times during the day, but there were a lot of pass catchers and a good amount of quarterbacks. When they were paired up, you could see the chemistry. Morris got to spend the weekend in Ann Arbor with McCarthy earlier this month, and JJ is playing a huge role in his recruitment. I still feel like the Wolverines have the overall edge with him. And that's huge. Morris is an elite level route runner with some of the best hands I've ever seen. I saw him drop a pass today for the first time in a long time. The drop drew a couple of jokes because Morris literally catches everything in his vicinity. He would be a target machine in Michigan's offense, especially with JJ at the helm.
*** Lastly, Michigan is still on the prowl for a quarterback commit in 2022. It's a weak year at the position, and I feel like it's going to be tough to lure a big-time talent to come in after McCarthy. A project like three-star prospect Kaden Cobb could be an option. When he's on, he's capable of making some beautiful throws. He also has a terrific build at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds. I really love the athletic profile. But he's very inconsistent and still has a lot to work on from a mechanical standpoint. He should get better with continued work with Holcomb. If he does progress, I would take a shot. He loves McCarthy and would be willing to come in and learn behind him. Cobb has offers from Boston College, Missouri, West Virginia and others. The upside is certainly there.
