Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is surging up draft boards this month, according to longtime ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.
During the latest episode of the “First Draft” podcast, Kiper revealed that McCarthy could end up ranking ahead of North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye. That’s how much momentum is on his side right now.
“Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy – that’s a battle. I think that’s legitimate. I talked this morning to people before the show. All I hear is [about] J.J. McCarthy,” Kiper said . “J.J. McCarthy is so smart, so tough, so athletic. He almost, because of what he was protected from doing because they didn’t let him carry the offense, has benefitted from that. It adds some mystery to it. He’s an old-school kind of quarterback.
“Bottom line is J.J. McCarthy could overtake Drake Maye – could. I had him [going] 12 to Denver. People are saying he’s going in the top-10.”
Fox Sports personality Joel Klatt made similar remarks about McCarthy this week.
“I might be surprised if he’s not taken in the top 10. That’s the type of momentum that he’s generating,” Klatt said . “He plays a selfless brand of football, he’s incredibly incredibly athletic, the guy spins it, he makes plays, he’s a winner, and he doesn’t care who gets the credit. Every organization in the NFL is looking for players like that and in particular at that position.”
McCarthy had 6,226 passing yards and 49 touchdowns during his time at Michigan. He also had 632 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
Every mock draft has McCarthy going inside the top 15. After hearing Kiper’s latest comments, we’d have to imagine he’ll go much earlier than that.