Michigan football quarterback J.J. McCarthy lasted longer than many expected in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, but at the end of the day, he found a perfect home with the Minnesota Vikings.
As a Lions fan, I hated to see it — only because I know what kind of happy warrior the Michigan football legend is. He’s a winner and he’s got all the talent needed to be a franchise quarterback.
While the best Michigan football quarterback in history in college, according to Jim Harbaugh, had to wait longer than even Michael Penix, who went ahead of him at No. 8, it’s going to work out well.
McCarthy is walking into a loaded situation. Aaron Jones was just signed from the Packers and he’s one of the best running backs in the league. The Vikings also have Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. McCarthy might win Rookie of the Year. The Michigan football quarterback with a 27-1 record as a starter is ready to play now and the Vikings were mostly just missing a quarterback.
McCarthy led Michigan football to its first national championship in 26 years and if he leads the Vikings to a Super Bowl someday, maybe then, people will stop hating on him. Probably not though, since the teams he dominates seem to believe he sucks or at least their fans do.
At any rate, McCarthy became the highest-drafted quarterback in Michigan football history, and here are some of the best social media reactions.
JJ McCarthy becomes the highest drafted QB out of @UMichFootball, surpassing former HC Jim Harbaugh who went 26th overall in the 1987 NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/gHYQJwEDAJ
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) April 26, 2024
The Minnesota Vikings have selected Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy with the 10th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft〽️https://t.co/HQ9RMMHzi9 pic.twitter.com/NckysYkOd6
— On3 (@On3sports) April 26, 2024
Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy goes No. 10 to the Minnesota Vikings, who traded up one spot to get him. Excellent spot for him.
— Aaron McMann | MLive.com (@AaronMcMann) April 26, 2024
Michigan has now had at least one first-round #NFLdraft pick in six straight drafts:
2019 — Devin Bush Jr., Rashan Gary
2020 — Cesar Ruiz
2021 — Kwity Paye
2022 — Aidan Hutchinson, Daxton Hill
2023 — Mazi Smith
2024 — JJ McCarthy— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) April 26, 2024
NFC North bias aside, this is the perfect landing spot for JJ. Vikings fans will love him, he’ll get developed and there won’t be pressure on him. Great fit. https://t.co/iJWy00Qlu1
— Josh Henschke (@JoshHenschke) April 26, 2024
GREAT PICK!!!! Congrats @jjmccarthy09 Vikings are in great hands.
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) April 26, 2024
I’m not going to love J.J. McCarthy playing for a division rival that Detroit has to face twice a season. But I absolutely love the fit for him in Minnesota. I truly believe he’ll succeed at the next level and he has enough pieces in place around him to do exactly that.
— Scott Bell (@sbell021) April 26, 2024
Hey @Vikings https://t.co/vdoSpbgzxd
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) April 26, 2024
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