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JJ McCarthy Shows No Mercy to Former Rival During Vikings OTAs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated May 30, 2025 5:37 PM ET

The Minnesota Vikings are moving forward with JJ McCarthy as their starting quarterback this season after Sam Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks during the offseason.

McCarthy's status as a former first round pick and national title winner in college has Vikings fans and teammates feeling excited.

On Friday, a video was shown of McCarthy pranking a Vikings teammate and former Ohio State Buckeyes star, causing him and social media to react.

McCarthy showed no mercy as he reminded his former rival of his college days and the challenging times against his Michigan Wolverines that came with them.

McCarthy was handed a "mystery item" to sign while wearing a backwards baseball hat and Minnesota Vikings shirt: an Ohio State Buckeyes clock.

McCarthy smiled and laughed as he was given the clock before signing it '4-0, Not You' with a frowning face.

"This is from your friend JJ," one person can be heard while handing the item to Donovan Jackson, the former Buckeye and Ohio State star who was Minnesota's first round pick during the 2025 NFL draft.

"Wow," Jackson can be heard saying as he smiles and says, "yeah, alright" before handing it back to the original person.

McCarthy led the Wolverines to a 27-1 record in college before becoming a first round pick of the Vikings last year.

He later tore a meniscus in his right knee during preseason and underwent surgery, sidelining him for the entire 2024 season.

Now, the Vikings will move forward with McCarthy behind center and Jackson penciled in as a potential star to protect him up front, in hopes that Jackson will become the protector McCarthy needs despite their college rivalry.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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