Assessing the latest on JJ McCarthy, NFL Draft decision

JJ McCarthy has quite the turnaround ahead of him. Michigan won the national championship on Jan. 8 and by Jan. 15, he has to decide on the NFL Draft. Another season in Ann Arbor is certainly on the table but heading into the season, the overall thought was that McCarthy would leave after accomplishing all his goals.

Well, the goals are accomplished and if you ask Clayton Sayfie of On3’s The Wolverines, McCarthy is slightly leaning toward playing in the NFL next season. There are many factors at play, including where McCarthy would fall on the board.

Caleb Williams is considered the surefire No. 1 overall pick at this point, while Drake Maye is thought to be just a step behind. After those two, there is a lot to be determined and McCarthy could be right in the middle of it.

“I would have said, coming into this game, leaning toward leaving,” Sayfie said. “I would probably still say that. Maybe around the 50% mark… Depending on how many quarterbacks go in the top 10, top 15 — JJ McCarthy could be the No. 4 quarterback off the board at No. 15 or 18, whatever it may be, in this class.”

More than McCarthy’s draft stock will be considered. Sayfie and Staples discussing Michigan maybe having a run of players returning for 2024 like we saw last season. McCarthy could want to spend one more season with the Wolverines and attempt to defend their national title.

Jim Harbaugh‘s decision could influence McCarthy as well. Does Harbaugh himself make a move to the NFL or does he commit long-term to Michigan? You would have to imagine if Harbaugh leaves Michigan, McCarthy will too.

All of this without asking — is McCarthy ready for the NFL? He did not have the most eye-popping performances down the stretch, even if there were good moments in there. Monday night’s national championship certainly was not one of them, even if his health has been in question for a couple of months now.

“I think [McCarthy] could use another year,” Sayfie said. “But the way the offense is built, there are not all of these opportunities. So, he can do all the things you want an NFL quarterback to do. Maybe not as consistently as you want him to.”

In the latest mock draft from ESPN’s Matt Miller, McCarthy was taken inside the top 10 at No. 7 overall. He was the fourth quarterback off the board, with Williams, Maye, and Jayden Daniels ahead. Miller posted the mock draft on Dec. 12, in between the Big Ten Championship and Rose Bowl.

The options are there to weigh without a ton of time. Michigan will land in Ann Arbor on Tuesday night, where the party will certainly roll on. Celebrations will continue but McCarthy knows they may have to take a temporary backseat with his pending NFL decision.