Posts under: Blog

Recruit Tracker: 2021 QB J.J. McCarthy

October 10, 2020: McCarthy and Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy beat Duncanville (TX) Duncanville by a score of 41-14. McCarthy completed 19/28 passes for 256 yards and 3 touchdowns (61, 16, and 14 yards). IMG is 5-0.

October 3, 2020: McCarthy and Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy beat Chester (VA) Life Christian by a score of 52-8. McCarthy completed 13/18 passes for 254 yards and 2 touchdowns (77- and 68-yarders), plus 1 rushing touchdown. IMG is now 4-0.

September 25, 2020: McCarthy and Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy beat Brentwood (TN) Ravenwood by a score of 45-14.

September 17, 2020: McCarthy and Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy beat Orlando (FL) Edgwater by a score of 48-7.

September 4, 2020: McCarthy and Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy beat Venice (FL) Venice by a score of 49-13. McCarthy was the star of the game, completing 23/37 passes for 333 yards and 5 touchdowns. IMG is now 1-0.

Below are some highlights from the game:

All-Time Leaders: Longest Punt Returns

Last time I posted the longest punt returns in Michigan history (LINK). Today we’ll look at the longest punt returns for the program.

Michigan Running Backs Compared to the Rest of the Big Ten

Maybe I’m biased after growing up in the heyday of the running back. When I was a kid, I remember playing video games with superstar running backs like Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, and Bo Jackson. I also grew up at a time when the Michigan running back was a stud, with guys like Tony Boles, Tyrone Wheatley, and Tim Biakabatuka.

So I can be a harsh critic of running backs, and I am. Numerous times over the years, I have criticized either Michigan’s depth chart – I wanted backups to play more – or even the overall talent at the position. That has engendered endless back-and-forth arguments in the comments, which you have probably seen if you ventured down below any post that mentions the word “running back.”

This post may inflame that discussion, but I truly believe this little study illuminates my issue with running backs. It was suggested by a poster that all-conference honors could point to a flaw in my position, which is:

Running back has been a weakness at Michigan since Hart graduated.

Hit the jump for more.

All-Time Leaders: Longest Kickoff Returns

Last week I posted about the longest pass plays in Michigan history (LINK).

Now it’s time for the longest kickoff returns. Surprisingly (to me), only one play in Michigan history has gone the length of the field:

2020 Season Countdown: #21 Zach Carpenter

Name: Zach Carpenter
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 329 lbs.
High school: Cincinnati (OH) Moeller
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Redshirt reshman
Jersey number: #58
Last year: I ranked Carpenter #86 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: 73

When Carpentered entered college, most assumed he would end up playing offensive guard. Not only was he ranked as a guard, but Michigan had highly touted interior lineman Nolan Rumler in the 2019 class, and Rumler was reportedly likely to transition to center. Anyway, Carpenter had two seniors starting at guard and a future 1st rounder starting at center ahead of him, so he wasn’t needed last year.

Fast forward one season, and all those guys are gone. Carpenter and Karsen Barnhart earned a ton of buzz last year, and the conclusion going into the spring was that Carpenter had the inside track on the center gig. The stiffest competition was thought to be coming from walk-on Andrew Vastardis.

The most recent rumors suggest that Vastardis has been getting first team reps at center, partly because Carpenter has been missing from practice due to health issues. Center is a key position, so I have Carpenter ranked here at #21, but Vastardis or Rumler could be the man if/when there’s a season.

Prediction: Starting center