After winning the National Championship, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is on to the NFL. The least-experienced of the top quarterbacks in this draft, the projections on him have quite the range – from the top 10 to outside of the top 100.

J.J. McCarthy scouting report

Nov 4, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Michigan Stadium. Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Background

College: Michigan

Age: 21

Height: 6’3

Weight: 202

Awards: All-Big Ten First Team (2023), All-Big Ten Second Team (2022)

McCarthy was a four-star recruit coming out of IMG Academy, and the sixth-ranked quarterback in the Class of 2019. He played in mop-up roles as a freshman, then won the starting job in camp his sophomore year.

In his two full seasons as a starter McCarthy went 27-1, leading the Wolverines to two College Playoff Appearances. He led the sixth-highest scoring offense in the nation in 2022, when the 14th-highest last year. After this year’s Rose Bowl win, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh called him “the greatest quarterback in University of Michigan—college football history…in a college career there’s been nobody at Michigan better than J.J.”

For more player breakdowns, scouting reports, and all things 2024 NFL Draft, check out the 98.5 The Sports Hub Draft Hub page. 

• Stats

  Passing

  Year	School	Conf	Class	G(S)	Cmp	Att	Pct	Yds	Y/A	TD	Int	Rate
  2021	Michigan	Big Ten	FR	11(0)	34	59	57.6	516	8.7	5	2	152.3
  2022	Michigan	Big Ten	SO	14(13)	208	322	64.6	2719	8.4	22	5	155.0
  2023	Michigan	Big Ten	JR	15(15)	240	332	72.3	2991	9.0	22	4	167.4
  Career				40(28)	482	713	67.6	6226	8.7	49	11	160.5

  Rushing

  Year	School	Conf	Class	G	Att	Yds	Avg	TD
  2021	Michigan	Big Ten	FR	11	27	124	4.6	2
  2022	Michigan	Big Ten	SO	14	70	306	4.4	5
  2023	Michigan	Big Ten	JR	15	64	202	3.2	3
  Career				40	161	632	3.9	10

  Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table

• Strengths

  — Has an NFL quarterback frame, but will need to grow into it

  — His athleticism should allow him to be a factor with his legs at the next level

  — Throws well on the run

  — Can throw from multiple arm angles

  — Just turned 21 in late January, has plenty of time to grow his game

• Weaknesses

  — Inexperienced. 28 starts are among the fewest of the projected top-100 quarterbacks

  — Wasn’t asked to do much in the context of Michigan’s star-studded offense. Attempted just 22.1 passes per game in 2023 including many one-read, quick release designs. This was especially prevalent against top competition.

  — Accuracy is inconsistent

  — Doesn’t always read the field with conviction

  — Can zip the ball when needed, but doesn’t have a reliable touch pass right now

• Video breakdown

• Player comparisons

  Ceiling: Brock Purdy

  Middle: Marcus Mariota

  Floor: Zach Wilson

• Bottom line

  If you feel strongly about McCarthy’s standing as a prospect – one way or the other – you’re probably kidding yourself. There’s just not close to enough high-impact reps on tape to fully evaluate where he’s at as a player relative to most quarterback prospects. He certainly has upside, especially with his young age and athleticism, but he still needs time to develop. Whatever team drafts him will need to have a strong development plan in place, and a willingness to be patient. A team that has a veteran (read: old) starter in place but will need a new quarterback in a year or two would be the best landing spot for him, setting up a Patrick Mahomes/Jordan Love type development path (not a player comp, more of a ‘path to starting’ comp).

• Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].

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