Michigan’s JJ McCarthy estimates ‘80%’ of college football programs steal signs

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The sign-stealing scandal that plagued the Michigan football program for much of its season has continued to surround the team as they prepare to play for the school’s first national championship since 1997.

During a press conference on Wednesday, quarterback J.J. McCarthy was asked about the situation and suggested that sign-stealing is common practice in the sport and that somewhere around "80%" of programs do it.

J.J. McCarthy #9 celebrates with head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines after the CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl Game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1, 2024 in Pasadena, California.  (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

"I also feel like it's so unfortunate because there's probably — I don't want to say a crazy number, but I'd say a good number, 80% of the teams in college football steal signs. It's just a thing about football. It's been around for years," McCarthy said, via The Athletic. 

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McCarthy then went on to imply that Michigan’s actions were a result of Ohio State’s in either 2019 or 2020, and an attempt to "make it an even playing field."

"We actually had to adapt because in 2020 or 2019 when Ohio State was stealing our signs, which is legal and they were doing it, we had to get up to the level that they were at, and we had to make it an even playing field."

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McCarthy lamented the narrative around the program as it related to the allegations, believing that it should not diminish their success. 

J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan