Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy on eventual NFL decision: 'I don't know right now'
Michigan Wolverines football junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy is the current Heisman Trophy frontrunner on an undefeated, 8-0 team chasing a national championship. McCarthy has shown up as a first-round pick on numerous early NFL mock drafts, but he’s fully focused on the stretch run ahead, not his future.
“I always just tell them that God knows,” McCarthy said of when he’s asked what his next move will be. “I don’t know right now; nobody knows. I’m just so focused on the present moment that, that never really comes to my head. That’s gonna come when it comes.”
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McCarthy, who meditates regularly, including underneath the goal posts on the field before games, has talked about mindfulness throughout his time at Michigan. Being in the present moment is one of his core beliefs, and he’s taking that approach with a decision that he’ll have to make when the season concludes.
McCarthy donates his NIL money to children’s hospitals and even his offensive linemen. He’s known as a positive individual, routinely telling the media to “have a great rest of your day” when leaving press conferences during the week or after games. On the field, though, McCarthy has a killer instinct. He’s developed that over the years, watching some of the all-time best athletes.
“That comes from studying the greats,” McCarthy said. “One of the greats I study was [late former NBA star Kobe [Bryant]. And when he would step on the court, he said it was like gladiator picking up the dirt and smelling it.
“I just try to switch my mindset into that similar of his. When I step in between those white lines, it’s war, like the warrior is coming out.
“Trying to do all of the things during the week to maintain that, and then when it comes out on Saturdays, it’s a whole different person.”
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McCarthy has talked more about winning than the Heisman Trophy, as you’d expect, too, saying all he cares about is team success. Even growing up, he didn’t think about ever going to New York for the award ceremony.
He ranks second nationally with a 78.1 completion percentage and is tied for second with 10.6 yards per attempt. The 6-3, 202-pounder has thrown 18 touchdowns against just 3 picks.
McCarthy has exemplified his ‘unselfishness,’ as his coaches and teammates have called it, by enjoying watching Michigan backups play late in games. The Wolverines have won all eight contests by 24 or more points, allowing the starters to rest and others to play.
The signal-caller has attempted only 4 fourth-quarter passes, all against Rutgers in the Big Ten opener (and all completed), and he’s more than fine with it.
“Tremendously, because every single throw counts,” McCarthy said of how playing only three quarters of games has benefitted him. “You don’t know how many you’re going get, and just from an injury prevention standpoint, it’s been great. The way I play football, it’s a little bit reckless at times, so just not being in those situations where something could go wrong, and just preventing that is always huge. Let’s keep planning on sitting out those fourth quarters for the rest of the year.”
