Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy: 5 Things to Know For College Football Playoff

J.J. McCarthy sat in anguish at the postgame press conference just moments after Michigan's loss to TCU in the College Football Playoff semifinals last season. Eye black residue was still smeared on the quarterback's cheek. A towel hung around his neck, on top of the game-worn shoulder pads he was still wearing.

A season-ending 51-45 loss to the Horned Frogs in the Fiesta Bowl hadn't fully set in yet.

McCarthy had stayed on the field as confetti fell to watch TCU celebrate a trip to the national championship game. By the time he had a microphone in front of him at the Michigan presser, the signal-caller opted to keep his comments short, but very clear.

"We will be back, I promise you that," the QB said as part of his lone answer before walking out.

McCarthy delivered on that promise.

Michigan hasn't lost since that game and is back in the College Football Playoff for the third consecutive season. The top-seeded Wolverines (13-0) face off against the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1) at 5 p.m. ET on Monday in the Rose Bowl. The winner will advance to the College Football Championship Game against either No. 2 Washington or No. 3 Texas.

The Wolverines have fallen in the playoff semifinals in each of the last two seasons. Ahead of this New Year's Day bowl game, here are five things to know about McCarthy.

McCarthy Stats, History in CFP

McCarthy was responsible for the first score of the Michigan-TCU semifinal game a season ago. Just not in the way he would have liked.

TCU defensive back Bud Clark picked off McCarthy early in the first quarter and went back for a 41-yard touchdown to give the Horned Frogs a 7-0 lead. And TCU never lost that advantage. The Wolverines trailed by as many as 19, though had a chance to take the lead with the ball back and less than a minute to go. But Michigan turned the ball over on downs to end comeback hopes in their six-point College Football Playoff defeat.

McCarthy managed to finish the game 20-of-34 passing for 343 yards and two touchdowns to go along with two interceptions (the second of which was also returned for six). Monday's game against Alabama will be McCarthy's second playoff start and third overall semifinals appearance. He previously went 7-of-17 for 131 yards and a score in relief of former Michigan QB Cade McNamara when the Wolverines lost to the eventual national champions, Georgia, two seasons ago.

Wearing Customized Rose Bowl Cleats

Michigan's 20-year-old quarterback will take the field in style on New Year's Day.

McCarthy is set to sport custom Jordan Brand cleats against Alabama. The footwear was designed by Ann Arbor artist Jada Henderson, known professionally as Jada From The Block according to Sports Illustrated, and pay homage to the iconic venue.

McCarthy Focused on Alabama, Not NFL Draft

This College Football Playoff could mark the end of McCarthy's college football career should he decide to make the leap to the professional ranks in the offseason. But a looming NFL Draft decision is far from the QB's top priority at the moment.

"I'm not worried about the NFL," McCarthy said at his Rose Bowl press conference. "I'm not worried about what could happen after the fact. I'm just worried about executing the first play at hand, executing practice today, and the rest will take care of itself."

Pro Football Focus lists McCarthy as the No. 52 prospect in the 2024 draft, should he declare.

Jim Harbaugh Praises McCarthy's 'Growth'

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was asked how he has seen McCarthy change since last season's loss to TCU. But Harbaugh tweaked the question's wording in his response.

"Change? Grow would be the better word," Harbaugh said at his Rose Bowl press conference. "Just phenomenal in everything that he does. I would call it growth. He's just better each day. I see him better today than he was yesterday, better tomorrow than he was today. It's just that's his mindset. It's fun to be around. It's infectious. Rubs off on everybody, including us coaches. We'd follow him anywhere."

Got A Joe Burrow Comparison From Alabama

McCarthy finished 10th in 2023 Heisman Trophy voting, though the QB reminds one Alabama defender of a former SEC signal-caller who won college football's most prestigious award.

"Joe Burrow," Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold said, via 247Sports, when asked which quarterback's style he sees in McCarthy. "... When you're playing against somebody, you have to give them the credit they deserve. And J.J., he's a very good athlete... When it comes to making the right reads, making the right throws — he's a great decision-maker, and he's a good athlete."

McCarthy, who is 25-1 in two seasons as a starter, has completed 74.2 percent of his passes this season for 2,630 yards, 19 touchdowns, and only four interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 202-pounder has also tallied three rushing scores. But McCarthy hasn't reached the end zone much of late. Over Michigan's last five games, the team's starting quarterback has thrown only one touchdown, along with one pick, and has failed to score with his legs.