Less than 24 hours separate JJ McCarthy from walking the stage at the 2024 NFL Draft and shaking commissioner Roger Goodell’s hand. The only question remains — which team will be taking him?
With the pre-draft process wrapped up, the former Michigan quarterback revealed which team he believes is most likely to make the call.
“I mean, I’ve somewhat of an idea. The New York Giants, I’ve spent the most time with,” McCarthy said during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show. “You know, they’re a phenomenal staff. Love coach Daboll. Love, you know, Mr. Shane [Bowen], love coach Tierney, coach Kafka, Chicago guy just being able to go in there and pretty much know most of the install because coach Daboll came from Alabama, and Coach Gattis came to Michigan from Alabama.
“So it’s similar formations, motions, plays, all that stuff. Being able to get that installed is what’s been great. I met with them twice. It’s been amazing.”
The Giants have the No. 6 overall pick in the draft. Many mocks have the former Wolverines starter going anywhere from third overall, which is held by the New England Patriots, all the way to pick No. 11 with the Minnesota Vikings.
Interestingly, the Los Angeles Chargers hold the No. 5 overall pick in Thursday’s draft. There, new Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh — McCarthy’s former head coach in Ann Arbor — could hold the fate of where McCarthy’s NFL career ultimately begins. If a certain team wants to trade up to the fifth pick for the former Wolverines QB1 specifically, ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes Harbaugh may listen.
Schefter has also since clarified that there is no chance that the Chargers, who have Justin Herbert on the roster who they signed to a seven-year, $262.5 million contract less than one year ago.
At Michigan, McCarthy compiled a 27-1 record as a starter. That .964 win percentage stands as the best among college football quarterbacks since 1971.
On the field, he completed 64.6 percent of his 322 attempts in 2022 for 2719 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions. He bumped up his completion percentage to 74.2 percent in 2023 on 287 pass attempts for 2630 yards, 19 touchdowns and four interceptions. All while leading the Wolverines to an undefeated national championship season.
Whether McCarthy becomes a New York Giant remains to be seen, but any debate will be squashed once the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft concludes at the end of Thursday night.
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