Cade McNamara

McNamara appears set to reprise his starting role after prevailing in Michigan’s de facto spring quarterback competition against sophomore J.J. McCarthy. McNamara did not put up staggering numbers in 2021, but he was an efficient game manager for the Wolverines, completing 64.2 percent of his passes for 2,576 yards and a 15-to-6 TD:INT ratio. The senior signal-caller attempted 327 passes last season, but he was routinely cycled out on situational downs for McCarthy, who provided a high-ceiling option at quarterback as both a rusher and an over-the-top passing threat. Michigan will likely continue to split quarterback snaps between McCarthy and McNamara, but the latter’s consistency as a passer combined with a solid returning cast of skill players should allow McNamara to be a safe, albeit limited, game manager for the Wolverines once again.