TODAY’S UPDATE: J.J. McCarthy’s Remarkable 27-1 Record as Starting Quarterback at Michigan..
Although he may not be the top overall pick, few incoming quarterbacks have garnered as much attention during the draft process as J.J. McCarthy. As the starting quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines, who are the reigning College Football Playoff national champions, McCarthy is set to transition to the NFL and could potentially be drafted earlier than initially anticipated in the 2024 NFL Draft.
According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, who spoke with team executives at the NFL’s Annual League Meeting, McCarthy is the most commonly mentioned option for the Washington Commanders with the No. 2 overall pick. His former head coach, Jim Harbaugh, has been his strongest advocate, proclaiming McCarthy as the top quarterback in this draft and praising his exceptional performance during his pro day, which Harbaugh described as the best he’s ever witnessed from a quarterback.
McCarthy, a former four-star recruit, achieved a remarkable 27-1 record as the starting quarterback at Michigan, placing him third in terms of winning percentage among quarterbacks in FBS history. Over the span of 40 games, McCarthy threw 49 touchdowns while only being intercepted 11 times. Despite Michigan’s dominance in college football last season, McCarthy wasn’t the focal point of the offense. His passing yards totaled 2,991, ranking 35th nationally, and he attempted just 18 passes in the championship victory over Washington. Although he didn’t put up eye-popping statistics like Michael Penix Jr., McCarthy demonstrated his ability to deliver in crucial moments when called upon.
