Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy has helped the program dominate in their rivalry with Ohio State while he has been with the team. And he wasn’t afraid to let this be known in an interview at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday.
Beating Ohio State is always a top goal for Michigan year in and year out. It is essentially a requirement to make the CFP Playoff the way it was previously formatted with only four teams getting in.
McCarthy has been able to do just that better than perhaps anyone who has dawned the Michigan starting quarterback position, winning all three matchups against the bitter rival since he has been at Michigan.
McCarthy was asked a unique question at the NFL Combine on Friday, asked to name three NFL wide receivers he would love to throw to in the league.
One player he named was former Ohio State wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. In his explanation as to why, he took a little dig at how he had beaten Ohio State in every game he has played against them.
“I have said this before, Jaxon Smith-Njigba,” said McCarthy. “Seeing him play my freshman year, being 3-0 against him, you know having that on the chest. It’s a little bit more respect than hatred. But just seeing how he played in the snow and his intangibles and skill. That’ll be someone for sure.”
We asked J.J. McCarthy to give us 3 NFL wide receivers he'd love to throw to.
His answers were pretty interesting! pic.twitter.com/rWcLAq6s58
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 1, 2024
It’s obviously a pretty respectful answer in terms of Smith-Njigba in particular, praising his skillset that was on full display at Ohio State.
However, Ohio State fans certainly didn’t love the dig about him beating their team so often.
— Brady 🕺🏻 (@BradRoosk) March 1, 2024
He say he 3-0 vs them bums he can say whatever 😅 https://t.co/tYoadx0J8j
— F.I.N.A.O. (@Tele_Faafetai) March 1, 2024
Wheew my QB1 said come get him https://t.co/TIw1hJjRL3
— D.Mart 🏚💫 (@DMart1k) March 1, 2024
The other wide receivers he listed were Vikings star Justin Jefferson and Raiders star Davante Adams. Interestingly, he named three receivers whose teams could be in the market for a quarterback.
Who knows, maybe he will just get his wish to play for one of these three teams…