Five-star QB commit J.J. McCarthy talks Iowa vs. Michigan atmosphere, Wolverines defensive performance

Five-star Michigan commit J.J. McCarthy attended his second Michigan home game of the year on Saturday in what was a 10-3 Wolverines victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Maize n Brew caught up with the 6-foot-2 QB out of La Grange Park, Illinois (Nazareth Academy), who detailed his experience.

“It was another great weekend. Big win for Michigan,” McCarthy said. The 2021 recruit visited with Jim Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, quarterbacks coach Ben McDaniels, and tight ends coach Sherrone Moore before the game.

McCarthy was at Michigan’s 24-21 overtime win against Army in September, but the game versus Iowa was a louder experience. “Loudest I ever heard it!,” McCarthy said. “I cannot wait to play in that atmosphere. It was so loud.”

McCarthy witnessed a defensive effort Jim Harbaugh called a “masterpiece” by defensive coordinator Don Brown. McCarthy may be a quarterback, but the defensive performance caught his eye and impressed him greatly. “They were flyin’ around everywhere,” McCarthy said. “Best defensive performance all year.”

The Michigan defense recorded eight sacks and four turnovers on the day, and defensive performances like that motivate McCarthy to do his part on offense. “It energizes the entire team, the crowd, and motivates me to do my job even better because I want to stay on pace with what the D is doing on that field," McCarthy said.

McCarthy’s season is going well so far, the Nazareth Academy is 5-1, and McCarthy said he’s growing as a player and leader.

“At Naz we are constantly challenged every week. Teams want to always beat our program because of our success,” McCarthy said. “It pushes me to be better with my teammates every week. I am never satisfied as a player. I constantly motivate myself off the field so when im on the field it I can just play freely.”

McCarthy is currently ranked as the No. 17 overall prospect in the 2021 class in the 247 Sports composite, and is the No. 4 overall pro-style quarterback.