In the Trenches: McNamara Rises to No. 1 QB, Eager to Expand Leadership Role
8/5/2021 9:00:00 AM | Football, Features
On this week's edition of the "In the Trenches" podcast, Jon Jansen sits down with quarterback Cade McNamara to discuss being named the team's QB1 heading into camp, his improvements throughout the offseason, the importance of leadership from the quarterback position, and his impressions of some of the other position groups on the team.
When University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh announced that Cade McNamara would enter training camp as the Wolverines' No. 1 quarterback, McNamara was not necessarily surprised, but he did appreciate it.
"It definitely felt good," McNamara said on this week's edition of the "In the Trenches" podcast. "Having your coach say positive things, especially the head coach, it always feels good. It's, for sure, a confidence booster going into camp."
McNamara has quickly risen the Wolverines' depth chart during his two-plus years on campus. In 2019, the Reno, Nev., native was a true freshman learning under several talented quarterbacks, including starter Shea Patterson. Last season, McNamara was in the thick of the quarterback competition, though Joe Milton earned the starting nod to start the season. Those two seasons, and quarterback battles, set the tone for McNamara's ascension to the top of the heap in advance of his third season in Ann Arbor.
"I felt like I built a good foundation my first two years as a hard-nosed, tough, hard worker who's willing to do anything for the team," McNamara said. "I feel like being able to give my voice for my teammates -- simply just to help us win in any way I feel like we can -- that's something I take seriously, and I feel like that's the job of the quarterback as well."
This offseason, McNamara has found, and more frequently utilized, his voice to become a leader. He has always believed that the expectation for his position includes a significant leadership role.
"I find leadership (to be) an extremely important job of being a quarterback. I take it very seriously. I feel like that is something I've been able to apply more this season."
Another expectation for the position is to win, especially at Michigan. McNamara, like many Wolverines this offseason, has not run from the tough 2020 season. The lessons and ramifications from that experience can help this group in 2021.
"We don't ignore the fact that it happened. We don't ignore the feeling," McNamara said. "We don't ignore what really led us to that position, but I think us understanding that part of it, and moving onto (the fact that) we have something to prove this year. We have a script to change. I think that's motivating for us, and the guys are determined to do that."
That mindset has paved the way for a productive offseason, and McNamara believes he and his teammates are ready.
"We've been grinding. We've been working," he said. "We've been doing everything we can to build off our spring and prepare for camp, and it's finally here."
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