Jim Harbaugh doubles down on J.J. McCarthy praise
Despite leaving Michigan football in favor of the Los Angeles Chargers, Jim Harbaugh is still taking the time to praise his championship quarterback.
At the AFC coaches' brunch on Monday, Harbaugh praised former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy's pro day while speaking to reporters, saying that it "was the best I've ever seen." Michigan's pro day took place on Friday, with Harbaugh in attendance along with other NFL coaches and scouts.
Harbaugh commended the 21-year-old's throwing ability, as well as his feet on the drills. He added that coaches and general managers had been coming up to him and complimenting him for doing a "great job" with McCarthy.
"It was absolutely no surprise whatsoever, but there was raving. And it was great to hear, incredible to hear," Harbaugh said.
Harbaugh also doubled down on previous statements about McCarthy's draft stock.
"I think he's the best quarterback in the draft," he said, adding that a "killer comes out" when facing adversity.
This is not the first time Harbaugh has loudly proclaimed McCarthy's virtues. In January, after Michigan won the National Championship, Harbaugh called McCarthy "the greatest quarterback in the University of Michigan (and) college football history." In February, he predicted that McCarthy could be the top quarterback off the draft board.
At this point, McCarthy seems unlikely as a No. 1 overall pick, with USC's Caleb Williams having that pretty much locked up. Most places predict that McCarthy will be the fourth quarterback off the board, behind Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels.
But McCarthy's draft stock has been steadily rising, starting after the National Championship win and continuing through Friday's pro day. Once considered a late first-round pick, McCarthy is now projected to be selected in the top 10. Mock drafts overwhelmingly have him going to the Minnesota Vikings — where his style will be a logical replacement for Kirk Cousins — but he could also end up with another QB-hungry team, like the Denver Broncos.
Harbaugh's continual praise of McCarthy does raise a few questions, including whether Harbaugh's acclaim will be enough to raise McCarthy's profile even further. McCarthy has two years as a starter and a major trophy under his belt, but the faith of a well-respected coach might be enough to push him up a few places in the draft order.
Beyond that, though, the admiration raises another question: Will Harbaugh try to reunite with his former quarterback in April?
The Chargers have made no indications that they'll be moving on from Justin Herbert, and just re-signed backup Easton Stick, who filled in for Herbert after a season-ending injury. But, as a new head coach, Harbaugh could easily decide to make some significant changes. The Chargers currently have the fifth overall pick, so if Harbaugh wanted to snatch up his former protégé, he certainly could.
A more cynical person might suggest Harbaugh is trying to drive McCarthy into the top four of the draft. Harbaugh's Chargers currently hold the fifth selection, and if the first four picks are all quarterbacks, the team would have its choice of all the non-QB prospects.
Regardless of the motivation, Harbaugh certainly isn't backing down in his praise of his former QB.
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