Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy showed what you could do with NLI besides just flashy brand deals by hosting a camp near his hometown in suburban Chicago.
We have videos from the day's interviews on the site. I also gathered various notes and observations from the day to share here.
- This event was ran by J.J.'s dad, Jim, and put the kids camping at the forefront. Althought the talent wasn't first class, there were players discovered who normally wouldn't get this type of exposure.
- How the players became coaches was simple. J.J. asked them for their help, and they stepped up. It's a part of the NIL umbrella that gets overlooked. Hosting your own camp, like J.J. did, allows you to get 20+ teammates together for a unique bonding experience in the middle of the offseason. Again, another example of the culture in Ann Arbor right now. In comparison to every team prior to last season, it's a night and day difference. When I asked the players why they would spend their weekend in Chicago coaching kids, they mentioned how much it meant for them to work with the kids, give back to the community, and give the campers an experience that they never had as kids, when the NCAA wouldn't allow it. But the simple answer as to why they did the camp? "We wanted to help J.J.," linebacker Junior Colson said.
- The impact McCarthy has on this program and the rapport he has with almost every member of the roster cannot be measured. For a kid who graduated from high school last year, McCarthy is lengths ahead of his age. One University source who is a highly-ranked decision maker told me, "He's a terrific businessman, and such a good marketer. Take away just the man he is, he's so smart."
- Among the recruits who caught my eye, the most impressive was 2024 ATH Charles Miles. Frame was filled out with a strong lower half that moved smooth as a corner and wideout. Instincts are advanced with excellent discipline in coverage, locking down every wideout in attendance. As a wideout, his speed to go along with his frame stood out. He's relatively unknown. J.J.'s dad, Jim, told me that's because he goes to a high school that doesn't get much exposure, and if he went to a bigger school in the area, he would blow up. I'm not sure if this kid will ever get Michigan's eyes on him but I was impressed, and I think there's a lot to like about his game now and later.
- 2025 WR Quinn Morris, freshman wideout Tyler's younger brother, might end up with a Michigan offer. He started on both sides of the ball at Plainfield (Ill.) as a freshman. His brother, as we know, was teammates with McCarthy at Nazareth. However, I'm told Plainfield was a better fit for him and his style, so he ended up there. A lot of room to grow physically, but if he fills out, he'll be a guy.
- Junior Colson looks noticeably stronger physically. His lower half is absurd.
- Braiden McGregor is a monster. Towering frame, lean and muscular body. He's built like a star edge rusher.
- The o-line is tight-knit and having fun with the possibilities of NIL. Zak Zinter seems like a leader. Olu wasn't there, but he's earned a lot of respect in that locker room immediately. The other linemen love him and believe he'll be a noticeable force.
- A lot of players in the NIL game were in attendance. Jared Wangler from Valiant was one. Valiant is a key factor in the NIL opportunities at Michigan.
- Defenisve tackle Mazi Smith was active with the kids. He seems to love coaching, especially technique. Student of the game who prides himself on the intricacies of the game, and is passionate about teaching it.
- Jimmy Rolder said he's reporting on June 1. He met the majority of the players who came to Chicago the day before the camp. He's reserved and soft-spoken, but you can tell the guys understand how good he'll be by making an effort to get to know him throughout the weekend. But I think that also has to do with this team prioritizing chemistry so much that they treat every guy that way. Physically, Rolder still looks like an animal who's a perfect hybrid of a lean body quick enough and bulked up with enough strength to play the modern middle linebacker position. He does need to get stronger, but it's a marginal gain needed that will happen between June and the season. Personally, think he's a future pro. When asked about cracking the rotation this year, he said he needs to get better physically before he even thinks about that. You can tell he's self-aware, wants to work, while being patient about his career.
- Charles Woodson showed up. He gave a speech to the kids, then left. No media availability. Busy guy, I assume.
- Autographs, autographs, and more autographs. Every player signed hundreds of them, but McCarthy might've been on 1,000 autographs by the end, if not more. He even signed a helmet for a writer... lol. Disclaimer: it was not mine. I wonder if the value of autographed merchandise goes up or down with so many athletes signing this young now. Imagine getting that autograph authenticated from a replica Michigan helmet, holding onto it, and if/when he's a high draft pick, what's the worth on that? Think about Joe Burrow. His autographed LSU helmet goes for $850 after shipping on Fanatics. I wonder if the autograph bandits that camp outside of Schembechler Hall will just show up to camps now? Or other public events?
- McCarthy didn't throw much, but he stepped in a few times and toseed some touch passes. It was all in good fun, I don't think he's in a position where he wants to push it at a youth camp. No benefit there.
- All in all, it was a fascinating event that was the first of its kind, at least among Michigan circles. J.J. is a clear leader of this program, despite not being the starting quarterback right now, or maybe even this season. Of course, that's not something we, or anyone, knows right now. One thing we do know, though, is this kid has an army rallying behind him because of the dude he is. I don't think any player or coach is strongly siding one way or the other on who the quarterback is. But it's clear J.J. is universally praised by teammates, coaches, and staffers. One football program source told me, "he's seriously the best person I've ever met. Forget the football, just a solid person."
We have videos from the day's interviews on the site. I also gathered various notes and observations from the day to share here.
- This event was ran by J.J.'s dad, Jim, and put the kids camping at the forefront. Althought the talent wasn't first class, there were players discovered who normally wouldn't get this type of exposure.
- How the players became coaches was simple. J.J. asked them for their help, and they stepped up. It's a part of the NIL umbrella that gets overlooked. Hosting your own camp, like J.J. did, allows you to get 20+ teammates together for a unique bonding experience in the middle of the offseason. Again, another example of the culture in Ann Arbor right now. In comparison to every team prior to last season, it's a night and day difference. When I asked the players why they would spend their weekend in Chicago coaching kids, they mentioned how much it meant for them to work with the kids, give back to the community, and give the campers an experience that they never had as kids, when the NCAA wouldn't allow it. But the simple answer as to why they did the camp? "We wanted to help J.J.," linebacker Junior Colson said.
- The impact McCarthy has on this program and the rapport he has with almost every member of the roster cannot be measured. For a kid who graduated from high school last year, McCarthy is lengths ahead of his age. One University source who is a highly-ranked decision maker told me, "He's a terrific businessman, and such a good marketer. Take away just the man he is, he's so smart."
- Among the recruits who caught my eye, the most impressive was 2024 ATH Charles Miles. Frame was filled out with a strong lower half that moved smooth as a corner and wideout. Instincts are advanced with excellent discipline in coverage, locking down every wideout in attendance. As a wideout, his speed to go along with his frame stood out. He's relatively unknown. J.J.'s dad, Jim, told me that's because he goes to a high school that doesn't get much exposure, and if he went to a bigger school in the area, he would blow up. I'm not sure if this kid will ever get Michigan's eyes on him but I was impressed, and I think there's a lot to like about his game now and later.
- 2025 WR Quinn Morris, freshman wideout Tyler's younger brother, might end up with a Michigan offer. He started on both sides of the ball at Plainfield (Ill.) as a freshman. His brother, as we know, was teammates with McCarthy at Nazareth. However, I'm told Plainfield was a better fit for him and his style, so he ended up there. A lot of room to grow physically, but if he fills out, he'll be a guy.
- Junior Colson looks noticeably stronger physically. His lower half is absurd.
- Braiden McGregor is a monster. Towering frame, lean and muscular body. He's built like a star edge rusher.
- The o-line is tight-knit and having fun with the possibilities of NIL. Zak Zinter seems like a leader. Olu wasn't there, but he's earned a lot of respect in that locker room immediately. The other linemen love him and believe he'll be a noticeable force.
- A lot of players in the NIL game were in attendance. Jared Wangler from Valiant was one. Valiant is a key factor in the NIL opportunities at Michigan.
- Defenisve tackle Mazi Smith was active with the kids. He seems to love coaching, especially technique. Student of the game who prides himself on the intricacies of the game, and is passionate about teaching it.
- Jimmy Rolder said he's reporting on June 1. He met the majority of the players who came to Chicago the day before the camp. He's reserved and soft-spoken, but you can tell the guys understand how good he'll be by making an effort to get to know him throughout the weekend. But I think that also has to do with this team prioritizing chemistry so much that they treat every guy that way. Physically, Rolder still looks like an animal who's a perfect hybrid of a lean body quick enough and bulked up with enough strength to play the modern middle linebacker position. He does need to get stronger, but it's a marginal gain needed that will happen between June and the season. Personally, think he's a future pro. When asked about cracking the rotation this year, he said he needs to get better physically before he even thinks about that. You can tell he's self-aware, wants to work, while being patient about his career.
- Charles Woodson showed up. He gave a speech to the kids, then left. No media availability. Busy guy, I assume.
- Autographs, autographs, and more autographs. Every player signed hundreds of them, but McCarthy might've been on 1,000 autographs by the end, if not more. He even signed a helmet for a writer... lol. Disclaimer: it was not mine. I wonder if the value of autographed merchandise goes up or down with so many athletes signing this young now. Imagine getting that autograph authenticated from a replica Michigan helmet, holding onto it, and if/when he's a high draft pick, what's the worth on that? Think about Joe Burrow. His autographed LSU helmet goes for $850 after shipping on Fanatics. I wonder if the autograph bandits that camp outside of Schembechler Hall will just show up to camps now? Or other public events?
- McCarthy didn't throw much, but he stepped in a few times and toseed some touch passes. It was all in good fun, I don't think he's in a position where he wants to push it at a youth camp. No benefit there.
- All in all, it was a fascinating event that was the first of its kind, at least among Michigan circles. J.J. is a clear leader of this program, despite not being the starting quarterback right now, or maybe even this season. Of course, that's not something we, or anyone, knows right now. One thing we do know, though, is this kid has an army rallying behind him because of the dude he is. I don't think any player or coach is strongly siding one way or the other on who the quarterback is. But it's clear J.J. is universally praised by teammates, coaches, and staffers. One football program source told me, "he's seriously the best person I've ever met. Forget the football, just a solid person."
