Fans have been torn on whether or not Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy can be a difference-maker in the NFL. League evaluators, however, are apparently confident in his abilities.
NFL insider Benjamin Allbright reported this week that McCarthy could be a top-10 pick in this year’s draft. He said people in the league are “definitely higher” on the Michigan signal-caller than the media and fans.
Allbright added that McCarthy is ranked ahead of Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix.
“You’re gonna see a lot of chatter about McCarthy starting to ramp up as media catches up to/learns about where league scouting stands,” Allbright said .
This is a bit of a surprise since McCarthy is considered the fourth-best quarterback behind Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels.
You’re gonna see a lot of chatter about McCarthy starting to ramp up as media catches up to/learns about where league scouting stands. https://t.co/8Xj8y2H9xU
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) February 9, 2024
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Former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh won’t be shocked if McCarthy goes inside the top 10. In fact, he recently predicted on “The Herd” that McCarthy will be the first quarterback selected.
“Don’t be surprised when he — if/when he goes to — he’s the No. 1 quarterback off the board,” Harbaugh said . “That’s my prediction right now. When people get a load of J.J. and how he can throw the ball, how he spins it, his athleticism, his intelligence. Talk about ‘it’ factor. He’s got it. The competitiveness that he has. And they get around him, and they really start digging in and they start talking to him. Yeah, that’s an early prediction for the 2024 NFL draft
McCarthy finished his college career with 6,226 passing yards, 632 rushing yards and 59 total touchdowns. He earned All-Big Ten honors in 2022 and 2023, won multiple Big Ten titles, and capped off his time at Michigan with a national championship.