J.J. McCarthy threw for over 150 NFL scouts at Michigan’s Pro Day today. His stock continues to climb, heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.
Michigan had 18 players participating in their Pro Day today. The most exciting prospect in that pool of players is quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy, a top-10 pick in many projections, said his goal was to show touch on his deep passes and prove he can make all the throws required of an NFL quarterback.
“I just wanted to showcase the questions they had about out-breakers to the left and putting some air on the deep posts, stuff like that,” McCarthy said. “I felt like I did that today. I’m pretty confident with the showing I put out there.”
Over 150 NFL representatives were in attendance at Michigan’s Pro Day today.
PRO-DAY UPDATE: Only fitting that national champs @UMichFootball, with record 18 Combine invitees, have biggest NFL turnout for pro-day.
Here's list of NFL attendees who'll be in Ann Arbor today, including former UM & current Chargers coaches Jim Harbaugh, Jesse Minter, & Ben… pic.twitter.com/ogpVnaJ35V
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 22, 2024
J.J. McCarthy Draft Projections
According to The Athletic, many projections have McCarthy as the fourth quarterback drafted behind USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye, and LSU’s Jayden Daniels. McCarthy completed 67.6 percent of his passes and threw for 6,226 yards in three seasons at Michigan, including two as a starter. His 713 pass attempts were the fewest of any of the top four quarterback prospects, but his 27-1 record as a starter is a selling point in interviews with NFL teams.
McCarthy could go directly after the three other quarterbacks listed if someone, like the Minnesota Vikings, decides to trade up. He could be picked in the 6-8 range or fall to 10 or later. It depends on what a team is looking for in its future franchise quarterback.
J.J. McCarthy Throws at Pro Day
J.J. worked through a standard 50-play script for NFL Scouts at Michigan Pro Day. Roman Wilson and Blake Corum were two key pass catchers for JJ today. He also had to adjust after one of his practice wide receivers tweaked a hamstring running his 40-yard dash, but that did not detour J.J.
Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy getting ready for his pro day workout pic.twitter.com/7z07lqpv4s
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 22, 2024
Mike Sainristil getting reps at receiver at Michigan’s Pro Day
Two way player? 👀 pic.twitter.com/XgIMHzUHFX
— JJ McCarthy Fan (@JJOneOfOne) March 22, 2024
A QBs pro day is the most overrated way to evaluate that player.
It’s a workout set up to make the QB look great.
With that being said, I want JJ McCarthy on the Vikings after this throw pic.twitter.com/V1pt6uONsg
— Leighton Glodek (@LGlodek) March 22, 2024
JJ McCarthy throwing session lasted about 25 minutes. It was clean—just two clear misses. He showcased zip and touch while hitting a lot of deep routes. He told me he wanted to show his touch placement and did well there. McCarthy has easy power and velocity.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 22, 2024
J.J. McCarthy On Field Work:
J.J. McCarthy Interviews/Quotes
“It’s about potential, traits, character — all that little stuff,” McCarthy said. “You could throw for 5,000 yards in a year, but if you have awful character and your teammates don’t like you, what’s that going to do for you? I pride myself on the intangibles and being able to be a leader.”
McCarthy said he stays away from the social media discourse but knows he’s been climbing in the projections. He attributed that to his holistic approach to playing quarterback, including his pregame meditation routine and the impression he’s made with teams when they meet him face to face.
“I’m a pretty unique guy when it comes to the quarterback position with the meditation and all that,” McCarthy said. “(Teams) are gravitating toward that, it seems like.”
On-field Interview at Michigan Pro Day:
The entire NFL will anxiously wait to see where McCarthy gets drafted.
Interested in more articles like this? Follow me on X & Insta @Coach_CDowns. Check out my author page to follow along with other articles I have written.