JJ McCarthy an early candidate to go No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft

Last fall, JJ McCarthy took over as the starting quarterback for Michigan football, beating out the incumbent starter Cade McNamara, who has since transferred to Iowa. For the Wolverines, this was a great move, as the sophomore QB led them to the program’s winningest season ever, concluding with a Big Ten title and a College Football Playoff appearance. Now, heading into 2023, ESPN has pinned the leader of the Wolverines’ impressive offense as a potential candidate to go No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy a future No. 1 pick?

The Michigan football quarterback room is loaded right now and is headlined by former five-star recruit JJ McCarthy, who took over as the Wolverines’ QB1 just two weeks into the 2022 college football season. Despite some road bumps last fall, McCarthy is already a decorated Big Ten starter, boasting a Big Ten title ring and a College Football Playoff berth thus far during his single season as Michigan’s starter.

Looking ahead past the 2023 college football season, JJ McCarthy is being pinned as a potential first-round NFL Draft pick. In fact, ESPN has named JJ McCarthy as a candidate to go No. 1 overall in the coming draft.

According to ESPN, JJ McCarthy could have what it takes to be the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. They give him a 2% chance of going No. 1, which isn’t too high, but he is at least in the conversation ahead of his second year as Michigan’s starting quarterback.

ESPN weighs in on McCarthy’s 2024 NFL Draft hopes:

“JJ McCarthy, Michigan football (2% chance to go No. 1): He is expected to throw the ball more this season after just six games with 25 or more passing attempts over 13 starts in 2022. He reads the field well, is an accurate passer and shows efficiency with play-action concepts to complement the Wolverines’ run game.”

Many think that JJ McCarthy will take a huge step forward this fall, perhaps leading Michigan football to a national title — the program’s first since 1997. Right now, one thing appears clear: wherever McCarthy goes, the team will follow, both on and off of the football field.