In an exciting announcement on Monday, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running back Blake Corum have been included in the prestigious preseason Maxwell Award Watch List. The Maxwell Award is presented to the most outstanding player at the end of the season, making this recognition a significant honor for both McCarthy and Corum.
Michigan has a storied history with the Maxwell Award, with only two Wolverines ever receiving this accolade. The last Michigan player to win the award was Desmond Howard in 1991, and the only other recipient from the university was Tom Harmon back in 1940.
J.J. McCarthy: A Rising Star
J.J. McCarthy, entering his junior season, is set to continue his impressive performance on the field after starting in all but one game in 2022. Last season, McCarthy showcased his skills by throwing for an impressive 2,719 yards, 22 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. He completed 64.6% of his passes, proving himself as a formidable force within the team.
Here are some noteworthy highlights about McCarthy:
- 2022 Semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award
- 2022 All-Big Ten honoree (second team, media; third team, coaches)
- Responsible for 34 career touchdowns (27 passing, seven rushing) in 25 games played with 13 starts
- Recorded 2,719 passing yards in 2022, ranking as the eighth-highest single-season passing total in program history
- His 22 passing touchdowns in 13 starts last season were the sixth-highest single-season mark in program history; he scored a total of 10 touchdowns in the season's final three weeks
- Named the team's Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 and Rookie of the Year in 2021
Blake Corum: A Dynamic Force
Returning for his senior season, Blake Corum has made the decision to pass up the NFL draft and continue his outstanding career in Ann Arbor. Despite missing the final three games of the 2022 season due to a knee injury, Corum displayed his exceptional talent by accumulating 1,463 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. He remained a strong contender for the Heisman Trophy throughout the season.
Here are some remarkable achievements of Corum:
- Unanimous First-Team All-American in 2022
- Finished seventh in the 2022 Heisman Trophy Balloting
- Recipient of the 2022 Chicago Silver Tribune Football Award for Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year
- Finalist for the 2022 Doak Walker Award
- Two-time All-Big Ten selection (consensus first team in 2022; third team in 2021)
- Played in 30 career games with 13 starts
- Accumulated 2,492 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns on 416 carries
- Added 40 receptions for 294 yards with two touchdowns and 400 yards on kick returns
- His 2022 season's rushing yards (1,463) rank as the eighth-highest single-season total in U-M history
- Ranks 17th in all-time rushing yards (2,492), sixth in yards per carry (6.01), and tied for seventh in rushing touchdowns (31) at Michigan
- Recipient of the team MVP, Toughest Player, Blue Collar Award in 2022, and Offensive Skill Player of the Year in 2021
With McCarthy and Corum's inclusion in the preseason Maxwell Award Watch List, all eyes will be on these exceptional athletes as they strive to bring home this prestigious honor. Their talent, dedication, and contributions to the Michigan football program make them true assets to the team.
