A closer look at the predicted NFL draft top-ten pick J.J. McCarthy

A closer look at the predicted NFL draft top-ten pick J.J. McCarthy

Quarterback talk is dominating the build-up to next week’s NFL Draft.

Recent conventional wisdom has Caleb Williams going first overall to the Chicago Bears, while Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye appear set for either the Washington Commanders or the New England Patriots.

But while those three have long been pencilled in as the top QB prospects, former Michigan signal-caller J.J. McCarthy has been the subject of recent hype. Here’s a closer look at him.

Background and college career

Hailing from La Grange Park, Illinois, McCarthy would transfer from Nazareth Academy to IMG Academy in Florida as a senior in 2020. Listed as a five-star recruit, McCarthy snibbed his boyhood team Ohio State for rivals Michigan and earned the Wolverines’ starting QB job under Jim Harbaugh in the opening weeks of the 2022 season.

Before the end of the 2023 campaign, he would pass Tom Brady’s passing yard total at Michigan and became the fastest Wolverines quarterback to reach 25 career wins as he led the team to their first national championship title since 1997. His 27-1 record as the starter was the third-best winning percentage by a quarterback in college football history.

What sort of player is he?

McCarthy is a confident, lively passer who consistently delivered in clutch situations during his college career. Does not get fazed if the pocket breaks down, but questions will arise from the fact he was not a high-volume passer under Harbaugh at Michigan.

Where is he likely to be drafted?

Where McCarthy goes is one of the more intriguing questions of the first round. He may not crack the Williams-Maye-Daniels triumvirate at the top of the first round, but if Arizona are willing to do business and trade their fourth selection, then Minnesota look to be an obvious candidate. Denver will perhaps be hoping he falls further down the board.

When is the 2024 NFL Draft?

The draft takes place over three days.

• Round 1:  Thursday, April 25 (8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST)
• Rounds 2-3:  Friday, April 26 (7 p.m. ET / 12 a.m. BST)
• Rounds 4-7:  Saturday, April 27 (12 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. BST)

2024 NFL Draft: How to watch

U.S.: ABC, ESPN and NFL Network

UK: Sky Sports NFL and DAZN

Canada: DAZN

Other regions not listed above will need to check their respective local schedules.

Live on DAZN PPV: Haney vs. Garcia on April 20.  Click here for details.