Less than a week after helping lead the Michigan Wolverines to their first National Championship since 1997, quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be forgoing his senior season and will declare for the NFL Draft.
McCarthy announced the news Sunday on his X account with the caption “Forever a Michigan Man,” before a lengthy message where he thanked his faith, family, coaches, teammates, and fans.
McCarthy’s announcement came just a day before Monday’s declaration deadline.
Forever a Michigan Man 💙🙏 pic.twitter.com/0i50FzLsoB
— J.J. McCarthy (@jjmccarthy09) January 14, 2024
McCarthy immediately becomes one of the most intriguing options in the 2024 NFL Draft. He went 27-1 in two seasons as Michigan’s starting quarterback (third-best winning percentage in college football history of quarterbacks with at least 25 starts) and was the Offensive MVP of the 2023 Rose Bowl, where Michigan beat Alabama 27-20 in overtime. But, McCarthy also slid into more of a “game manager” role in some of Michigan’s bigger games of the season. He finished the year with 2,991 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and four interceptions, but attempted 20 passes or fewer in Michigan’s wins over Penn State, Ohio State, and Washington, as the Wolverines instead leaned on their vaunted rushing attack.
Either way, social media had plenty to say about McCarthy’s decision to head for the NFL.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler also pointed out McCarthy’s win-loss record, saying, “As expected, QB JJ McCarthy has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. Many despise QB W-L record as a stat. But “27-1” comes up in almost every convo I have with scouts about him.”
As expected, QB JJ McCarthy has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Many despise QB W-L record as a stat. But “27-1” comes up in almost every convo I have with scouts about him. pic.twitter.com/r4BtfmnxSu
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 14, 2024
ESPN’s Robert Griffin III said, “This guy is a stud. Go prove yourself right J.J.”
This guy is a Stud. Go prove yourself right J.J.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 14, 2024
NFL Draft analyst Jacob Infante is among those who are high on McCarthy. He said, “J.J. McCarthy will be drafted higher than you probably expect. Strong arm, great athlete, good sense of touch behind his throws. Those tools, his collegiate resume and his character will have NFL teams very interested.”
J.J. McCarthy will be drafted higher than you probably expect.
Strong arm, great athlete, good sense of touch behind his throws. Those tools, his collegiate resume and his character will have NFL teams very interested.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) January 14, 2024
Michigan fansite, Blue by Ninety. kept it simple and said, “Build the statue for J.J. McCarthy right now.”
