Michigan Quarterback J.J. McCarthy Announces Entry into 2024 NFL Draft
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is concluding his collegiate career as a national champion, having declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. Following an undefeated season and a triumph over Washington in the national title game, McCarthy, who played a pivotal role in the Wolverines’ success, is poised to be a potential first-round pick.
In a statement shared on social media, McCarthy expressed his gratitude for his three years at the University of Michigan and acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, considering his affection for teammates, coaches, and Ann Arbor.
After sharing playing time with Cade McNamara in 2021, McCarthy assumed the starting role in the 2022 season. His impressive 2023 performance included 240-of-332 passing for 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns, ranking sixth nationally in completion percentage with just four interceptions.
McCarthy’s combination of arm strength and athleticism makes him an appealing prospect for teams seeking a future quarterback, even though he might not start immediately. Michigan’s tendency to rely on the run game in crucial matchups influenced McCarthy’s playing time, as seen in limited pass attempts in certain games during the 2023 season.
While McCarthy excelled in key moments, such as the Rose Bowl against Alabama, where he threw for 221 yards and three touchdowns, his decision-making, as evidenced by an ill-advised pass against Alabama, is an aspect to consider.
In the upcoming NFL Draft, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and USC’s Caleb Williams are regarded as the top two quarterbacks, possibly going in the first two picks. McCarthy is likely in the next tier alongside LSU’s Jayden Daniels and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr.
McCarthy’s decision brings clarity to Michigan’s quarterback situation for the 2024 season, with Alex Orji set to assume the starting role. The focus now shifts to the unresolved question of Jim Harbaugh’s future, as he contemplates a potential move to the NFL or a lucrative contract extension with the Wolverines.
