JJ McCarthy 'not worried' about NFL, putting focus into College Football Playoff

Michigan Wolverines quarterback JJ McCarthy believes he has an NFL future, but he’s not worried about that right now. Instead, his focus is on the upcoming College Football Playoff.

Ahead of the Rose Bowl against Alabama, McCarthy was asked about the semifinal being a money game. The type of game where a player can earn money at the next level. However, McCarthy insisted that’s not on his mind.

“I feel like every game is a money game, just different levels of intensity,” JJ McCarthy said. “I’m not worried about the NFL. I’m not worried about what could happen after the fact. I’m just worried about executing the first play at hand, executing practice today, and the rest will take care of itself.”

This is Michigan’s third time making the College Football Playoff in a row. The Wolverines have yet to make it out of the semifinal round. With that in mind, McCarthy was then asked if this game felt bigger than previous Playoff games.

“Naturally you kind of feel that, but at the end of the day, it’s two teams going out there and deciding who’s going to execute better each and every play.”

In two seasons as the starter at Michigan, JJ McCarthy has beaten Ohio State twice and won the Big Ten twice. He only lost once to this point, against TCU in last year’s Playoff. Amid all of the success that he’s had, and with the NFL on the horizon, McCarthy admitted that he hasn’t taken the time to reflect on his journey yet.

“I haven’t had time to reflect just because I’m focused on the task I’m doing and where I’m trying to go. One day I’ll look back and reflect on it and watch the highlights and maybe reminisce with the grandkids. Right now I’m busy working, and I’m going to focus on getting better.”

For now, the focus remains on Alabama and the Rose Bowl game.

JJ McCarthy addresses his health heading into Rose Bowl

Ahead of the Rose Bowl, JJ McCarthy broke down just how healthy he’s going to be for the game against Alabama.

“Extremely great,” McCarthy said. “100 percent, even 110 percent. So I’ll be ready to go.”

With nearly a month between the Big Ten Championship Game and the Rose Bowl, players like JJ McCarthy who were banged up have had time to get healthy. Now, the concern is finding a way to shake out any rust they may have ahead of the game.