J.J. McCarthy, other top QB prospects impressed with Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell at NFL Combine

“It went amazing. Coach O’Connell led the whole thing and just being able to see him in person, he was a lot taller than I thought, and Coach McCown. Everything about what they were talking about, everything about what they wanted out of a quarterback, is something that aligns with what I want. Just being able to get on the board with them, have them go through their plays, it was something really special and I enjoyed it.”

JJ McCarthy – Scouting Combine (video via @MichiganInsider)

Will the Minnesota Vikings draft JJ McCarthy?

McCarthy is expected to be the fourth quarterback selected in next month’s draft, behind Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (UNC) and Jayden Daniels (LSU), all of which also met with the Minnesota Vikings. But we still have nearly two months between now and April 25, so a lot has yet to shake out. McCarthy is throwing at the combine this week. The other three are not.

Many see JJ as the obvious riser over the next 1.5 months as we creep closer to day one. He’s behind the first pack of quarterbacks mostly due to his lack of high end production through the air. But there’s an explanation for that. Michigan runs a pro-style offense and Jim Harbaugh plays football like a classic Big Ten coach.

Run the ball until they stop you. So, the 2023 National Champions ran the ball a lot this season. Those who are optimistic on McCarthy believe the Wolverines pro-style offense will only help JJ’s development as a young NFL franchise QB.

McCarthy’s wasn’t the only QB at the combine who was infatuated with Kevin O’Connell, though. Both Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix Jr (Washington) took time out of their answer on their Vikings interview session to focus on the head coach. Clearly, KOC knows how to make a first impression.