Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Draft guru has a surprising name at QB3 on his 2024 big board

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 8/28/23

Few would argue against the notion that USC’s Caleb Williams and North Carolina’s Drake Maye are the two best quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.

But who exactly the third-best signal caller is after those two is a topic college football pundits have spent the entire offseason debating. While most believe it’s either Oregon’s Bo Nix, Texas’ Quinn Ewers or Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler believes the No. 3 QB in the class is actually Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.

“McCarthy is far from a polished product, but his tools have scouts excited for his future,” Brugler said. “…Aside from the physical traits, his coaches also rave about his smarts and competitiveness — two non-negotiable qualities for the next level.”

Scouts & analysts are saying there could be a new best QB in college football.

And no his name is not Caleb Williams.

It’s J.J. McCarthy.

According to reports from NFL Scouts, some believe that Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy has potential to be the best QB in the country.

And… pic.twitter.com/lCUhl1fCGW
— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) July 29, 2023

McCarthy is often overlooked among the top QBs in the NCAA due to Michigan’s superior run game, which ranked fifth in the country last year and is led by senior Blake Corum (1,463 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns) and junior Donovan Edwards (991 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns) — both of whom could be first-round picks next year in their own right.

In his first full season as the Wolverines starting QB, McCarthy threw for 2,719 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 64.6 percent of his passes and leading UM to a 13-1 record and second straight appearance in the College Football Playoff.

The 20-year-old junior has played in two CFP games — something not even Williams can say he’s done — and he has arguably the best collection of talent around him compared to any other 2024 draft-eligible quarterback. Michigan is ranked No. 2 in the AP top 25 preseason poll.

Brugler’s top five 2024 draft-eligible QBs: