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Jim Harbaugh weighs in on QB J.J. McCarthy's Vikings fit

Jim Harbaugh and J.J. McCarthy Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jim Harbaugh shares unfiltered thoughts on QB J.J. McCarthy's future with Vikings

By Nicholas Meyer | Last updated 4/28/24

The Minnesota Vikings traded up to select J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday, setting off a string of reactions on the ex-Michigan Wolverines quarterback's new fit.

His coach in Ann Arbor, Jim Harbaugh, previously called McCarthy "the best quarterback in the draft." Now the signal-caller is headed for a rookie QB's dream scenario in the Twin Cities.

On Friday, now-Los Angeles Chargers HC Harbaugh's reaction to McCarthy's selection went viral on X as Harbaugh described his "love" for the Wolverines' national championship-winning quarterback.

Harbaugh said he "love(s) McCarthy like a son" while sharing his feelings of excitement for the La Grange Park, Illinois native, who was drafted to the team he most wanted to play for at the next level.

Jim Harbaugh on J.J. McCarthy going to Minnesota Vikings: “That’s where he had his heart set, and I’m just so happy for him. Love him like a son, and I was praying and pulling for it to work out the way he wanted it to work out.” pic.twitter.com/Xku3Dt7LZC
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) April 26, 2024

McCarthy also got a shout-out from current Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore, who reiterated that the Vikings were McCarthy's dream destination.

"It's been a long process to see it happen but I knew that's where he wanted to go," Moore said on "The Rich Eisen Show" Friday.

Eisen asked Moore how he knew Minnesota was McCarthy's preferred destination.

"I mean the weapons that they have on offense, the offensive line, the receivers obviously," Moore said. "JJ throwing to JJ (Justin Jefferson) now and you know Aaron Jones being there at running back, and knew they were stocked."

Moore then elaborated on how McCarthy will mesh with the Vikings.

"Coach (Kevin) O'Connell does such a great job developing quarterbacks," Moore said, "so he was so excited for him, and you know, JJ fell in love with that and kind of knew he wanted to go there from the start."

Moore also shared a story on one of the games that was previously used to discredit McCarthy's success at Michigan – a 24-15 victory over Penn State in Happy Valley. The Wolverines ran the ball 32 straight times in that contest, taking the ball out of their star quarterback's hands.

The Michigan coach (who for a stretch took over for Harbaugh during a suspension) said McCarthy asked him the next day, "Do you not believe in me?" to which Moore responded.

"He asked me that question and I said, 'No,' I just felt like that's what we needed to do to win at that time," Moore said.

"I've always believed in JJ, in every sense of the word," he added.