As expected, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy has declared for the 2024 NFL draft. McCarthy’s announcement can be found here, courtesy of ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
McCarthy, who will turn 21 this week, was officially named the Wolverines’ starting quarterback before Week 3 of his sophomore season in 2022. That year, McCarthy led the team to a 12-1 record while completing 64.6% of his passes for 2,719 yards and 22 TDs against just five interceptions, but Michigan’s season ended with a narrow loss to TCU in the CFB Semifinals.
In the 2023 campaign, McCarthy posted similar passing numbers — his completion percentage actually increased to a terrific 72.3% — and he and head coach Jim Harbaugh finished the job, defeating Alabama in the Rose Bowl and then Washington in the CFP National Championship. Michigan ended the year with a perfect 15-0 record, and with nothing left to accomplish in the collegiate ranks, McCarthy had been expected to turn pro.
Despite the resume he put together at Ann Arbor, which includes First-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2023, McCarthy is not a perfect prospect. He has excellent arm strength and a high football IQ, but his high completion percentage belies the fact that he can struggle with ball placement, particularly on deep throws. He also has the tendency to telegraph passes, and his wiry frame is a cause for concern for some. He is unafraid to run, having carried the ball 134 times over the past two years, but his 3.8 YPC average suggests that his legs will not be a primary weapon at the next level.
Nonetheless, Harbaugh has called McCarthy the best quarterback Michigan has ever had, which is high praise considering the passers that the program has churned out over the years (Tom Brady and Harbaugh himself, for instance). So while McCarthy is not on the same level as quarterbacks like Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, he still has a chance to hear his name called in the first round of the draft, though some early mock drafts peg him as more of a Day 2 option.
Recent reports have suggested that if Harbaugh were to become the Raiders’ head coach this offseason, he would want the club to draft McCarthy. The Raiders presently hold the 13th overall pick, which may be too high for McCarthy, but Las Vegas does not pick again until it is on the clock with the No. 44 selection. The club’s new GM and head coach, therefore, will have something of a complicated quarterback decision on their hands.
Why???
To be a top 10 draft pick and play in the NFL.
Listen, I’m glad they won and he had a nice season. But top 10????
Yeah hate to burst your bubble Michigan fan but he’s QB 6 off the board at best and pry not a 1st or 2nd round pick
Right Ghost. Kenny Pickett went in the first round of the NFL draft. EJ Manuel went in the first round. How could a team possibly pick a First Team All Big Ten national championship winning QB in the first. That’s crazy talk.
lol Lars. There is a little thing called context and it is important. In both of those drafts you are talking about Ej Manuel and Kenny Pickett were the first QBs taken in terrible QB drafts. Unlike this year where there are 5 QBs that are all better prospects than McCarthy. There will pry be 3 he’ll maybe 4 QBs taken in the top ten but none of them are going to be McCarthy. If you’re going to call my comment out at least use an example that makes sense for anyone that actually pays attention.
We are glad you know so much and are so confident. What network do you work for again? Listen, it only takes one team to believe in a guy and scouts are mixed. Some believe he’s QB5 and should go in the second round. However, many believe he’s higher than a QB5 and is a first round guy. Again, it only takes one team. But then again you are the knower of all, so I guess it shall be.
You probably think you made a real point there don’t you?
As if there won’t be a team that develops a wild hair and takes him in the first. Stop fronting like you’re some paid draft analyst. Let’s see your mocks from last year bruh lol
Y’all are both funny. Interesting strategy to insult someone by doing the exact same thing which is sharing an opinion on an app that we all log into and comment on voluntarily. Obviously it only takes one team to love a guy and take him but does that make it the right decision? The browns “fell in love with” Baker mayfield while Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson got picked later. Watch the games he’s not a first round talent but sure some extremely well run franchise like the raiders will talk themselves into taking him at 13 and you guys can be right that’s he’s a first round pick.
I’m amazed how many Michigan fans are here, finally able to puff their chests out. Sorry. I don’t see this kid as a number 1 pick. Perhaps he’ll still have a great career. Perhaps not. Sorry that opinions on a message board hurt your feelings
Preach. Clearly I really hurt some Michigan fans feelings with my opinion lol.
@darkghost. I think you’re just on here to stir up Sh*t. maybe you should just your name to douchebag ?
Ghost has given thoughtful responses. There’s no trolling going on
You Michigan folks sure are sensitive.
You had a nice season, one that you’ll look upon fondly for years to come. But chances are your star QB and RB will be better suited for other careers
Lord have mercy I hit a nerve with these Michigan fans didn’t I. It is funny to me how none of them have actually defended their QBs talent, or his leadership, or any sort positive trait of his. Their response is a team is going to get desperate and make a dumb decision or calling me a jerk for being objective about the player and his talent.
Why do you incessantly shorten “probably” to “pry,” despite spelling out every other word in your posts?
isn’t probably usually just prob or probs anyways, you know so it isn’t a real word that can be mixed in
Ask Stetson Bennett…
Carried.
Carried the championship trophy!
Lmao about time. Maybe a 3rd rounder. He alot of stock after the championship but he’s no way a day 1
Very foolish to come out when you are not a projected first round pick. Stay at Michigan one more season and improve your draft position. Very bad advice by someone to come out.
Totally agree! He’s not ready yet.
Just means Harbaugh is leaving for sure and he doesn’t want to risk falling into the 5th round
Not really! If Harbaugh is out gotta learn a new system ir transfer. Probably ain’t want that so off to the nfl
Another year at Michigan isn’t going to get him into the first 3 rounds. He’s a good game manager and career backup. Good on him. More money than I’ll likely ever see. (Yes, here come the Brady arguments…I get it, every Michigan QB is Tom Brady.)
He’s not even 21 yet. While I believe in JJ and feel he has an “it factor” he is still young, is still growing, and can use another year of development. If he stays and improves, he will undoubtedly be better and either a QB1 or QB2 in next year’s draft.
Wow! Are you sure you want to stick your neck out that far? “If he improves he will undoubtedly be better”???
Are you a lawyer or an English major?
What’s foolish is going through life saying no to amazing life changing opportunities because you think you can wait and make a little bit more money for…the exact same opportunity!
Is money really the only thing that matters to you? Do you not realize how many good college QB’s went on to have bad years the following year? Betting millions and an NFL career hoping to get an NFL career and millions of dollars might be the dumbest bet ever.
Always more money in the NFL, go pro.
He is most likely not going to win the national championship game again next year, so he may as well declare while his stock is high.
Michigan loses too many key players to win anything next year. They won’t make the big ten championship game and will be lucky to not lose 4 games.
Remember, the big 12is here
Oregon , Washington UCLA and even Ohio State will be strong
JJ McCarthy reminds me a lot of Connor Cook who played at Michigan State. He rarely lost. 37-5 at Michigan State 3-0 against Michigan and 1-1 against Ohio State. Everyone thought he would go in the 2nd round minimum and fell to the 4th. The track record of MSU QB’s at the time you’d think he would’ve. As for JJ he’s more athletic and gifted. With so many teams needing a QB this year even backups I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a first round pick. I’d look for Las Vegas trading back up at the end of the first round to get him if he’s available. The connection between Tom Brady being his mentor and TB12 having part ownership of the Raiders. I think he’ll have a good career in the NFL. Let him sit and learn for a couple years.
Not a first round pick… ok? The best QB in the league was the last pick in the draft. Stop feeding the pig that is the draft.
Just for fun, do a little research and see how many times a guy like Purdy comes around in comparison to guys like Stroud, Herbert, Burrow, Lamar….and other 1st rounders. I love the Purdy story, although I’m not sure he’s “best “ or just plays in the best offensive system
Well the bears have the first pick. So maybe they’ll pull a trubisky and draft him #1. Go bears
Buyer beware
If Harbaugh goes to Raiders he will draft him.
McCarthy doesn’t seem anything special though.
He’s got good size, good tools, doesn’t make mistakes with the football, he just wasn’t asked to do a lot at Michigan. He’ll interview and test well at the combine and be a first round pick. Why not come out? Coach is good as gone anyways.
Got size n talent but man he’s skinny. That’s foul on Michigan strength coach that they couldn’t buff em out lil between weight room n training table. Just4 durabilities sake. He’s winner.
He just turned 21. Not even full grown yet. Dennis Rodman literally grew 4 inches from age 20-22.
His stock will never be higher. National championship and Harbaugh is all but gone from Michigan. There is no way he wants to be part of a college rebuild. He will be a good pro with an opportunity.
He didn’t look special I can see a Howell like 5th round
Thurston Howell ?
4th round
Reply in late April if I’m wrong.
This guy needs another year in college
No where near NFL ready. Needs a stronger more accurate arm.
Michigan‘s team was so strong/deep that Zippy the chimp could have quarterbacked them
Zippy’s in the transfer portal