Fans, media bash mystery Heisman voter who gave 1st-place vote to JJ McCarthy

The 2023 Heisman Trophy was handed out Saturday with LSU QB Jayden Daniels rolling to the win. With the win, Daniels joins Joe Burrow as LSU stars to win the honor in the past 5 seasons.

When the final vote was revealed, Daniels eclipsed Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. for the Heisman. Oregon’s Bo Nix, Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and Florida State’s Jordan Travis rounded out the top 5.

However, the full ballots revealed some interesting decisions down the list. That particularly included Michigan QB JJ McCarthy receiving a first-place vote for the award.

To be fair, McCarthy had a solid season for the No. 1 team in the College Football Playoff field. However, it’s not hard to see why it might be questionable to put McCarthy No. 1 on a Heisman ballot.

Across 4 games in November and the Big Ten Championship, McCarthy combined for just one total touchdown. He also finished with less than 150 yards in 4 of those 5 games to end the season. Overall, McCarthy had 19 passing touchdowns — less than his 2022 numbers — with 4 interceptions and 3 rushing touchdowns.

The idea of a voter putting McCarthy No. 1 on their ballot understandably drew some pushback on social media:

I want to know who voted JJ McCarthy FIRST. https://t.co/jd8RxLkICX

— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) December 10, 2023

JJ McCarthy, huh https://t.co/lNMvs3wViy

— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) December 10, 2023

The one JJ McCarthy first place vote? That’s right, Connor Stalions https://t.co/AcrOke6lBO

— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) December 10, 2023

Jalen Milroe, Blake Corum, Cody Schrader and JJ McCarthy got first place votes as the best player in college football https://t.co/4WZFlYpBtI

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) December 10, 2023

We need to find the JJ McCarthy voter and lock them in a shipping container https://t.co/0ZGzyWTOQm

— The Trashfather ™ (@TLandshark) December 10, 2023

JJ McCarthy getting any Heisman votes is ridiculous https://t.co/GptLL66f3H

— Ryan Campbell (@BanUnsweetTea) December 10, 2023

Who gave JJ McCarthy a first place vote? https://t.co/DnGyLcn45m

— Buckeye Realm (@BuckeyeRealm_) December 10, 2023

JJ McCarthy’s total TD in his last 5 games:

1

JJ McCarthy’s 1st-place Heisman votes:

1

That voter is not a serious person. pic.twitter.com/h7YJnfQLsq

— Andrew Doughty (@DoughtyBetMGM) December 10, 2023

Some old head seriously voted JJ McCarthy #1 https://t.co/Rkci3iXYg1

— Talking Dawgs Podcast ?‍☠️(BOOKIE SECDPOTY)) (@DawgsToday) December 10, 2023

I’m really serious people having their voting privileges revoked. JJ McCarthy receiving a first place vote is asinine. https://t.co/rGwwdeeB1G

— Ramon Hardy (@_Ramon_H) December 10, 2023

Whoever voted JJ McCarthy first should have their ballot taken away..that’s an insult to the award… https://t.co/9EA3hB94QP

— Neal Ruhl (@nealruhl) December 10, 2023

I cannot fathom that someone voted for JJ McCarthy to win https://t.co/25BvnHlgsb

— Ted Ferguson (@tedpferguson) December 10, 2023

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.