Michigan receivers discuss J.J. McCarthy as a draft prospect: 'Every GM's dream quarterback'
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Michigan Wolverines football standout J.J. McCarthy is considered a top-five quarterback heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. U-M running back Blake Corum, another one of the Wolverines’ 18 prospects at the NFL Combine this week, believes he’s the top one, though.
“There’s no question,” Corum, who was on the receiving end of a fourth-down completion and a touchdown from McCarthy in the Rose Bowl, said. “I consider J.J. one of the top quarterbacks — in my opinion, the top. That might be biased, it might be not, but I’m telling you the truth. He’s a field general, he’s gonna manage the game really well, he’s athletic, he can run out of the pocket, he can throw the deep ball, checkdown, medium-sized passes. You name it, J.J. can do it.”
Michigan ranked 122nd in the country in pass attempts per game last season and still won the national championship with a 15-0 record. McCarthy never complained about not throwing as much as some other top teams, and made the most of his opportunities with 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns with a 72.3 completion percentage.
“Most importantly, he’s just a good dude,” Corum said. “He’s going to be a good leader — a leader that you’re going to want your organization to follow. As the quarterback, he’s the general of the team. I’m excited to see him at the next level, see what he does, because his ceiling is so high. He didn’t even tap into his potential.
“He’s a hard worker; he’s going to put in the work that’s necessary to make sure that wherever he goes, they win. I’m excited to see what No. 9 does.”
Michigan’s receivers can attest. Wideout Roman Wilson, McCarthy’s favorite target with 48 catches last season, also spoke at the NFL Combine Friday and touted the quarterback’s talent.
“It’s amazing,” Wilson said of playing with McCarthy. “You just expect the unexpected. He’s going to do whatever it takes to get you the ball. Sometimes, he’s going to make a crazy throw that you’re not expecting to see, and he’s just a great guy. It’s really easy to be a receiver for J.J. He just makes it easy for you.
“The unexpected as in the good way. He throws the ball and it’s like, ‘Holy shit, he just made that throw.’ He’s just an unreal guy with amazing arm talent. And I just feel like he should be every GM’s dream quarterback.”
Wilson said that any doubt surrounding McCarthy because of his lack of passing attempts while at Michigan is misguided.
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“I think a lot of people like to say he can’t throw, and I feel like he’s an unbelievable quarterback,” Wilson explained. “You guys are going to see at pro day or even here, his arm talent is through the roof and he’s one of the better quarterbacks in this draft.
“We’re definitely a run-first team and our run game is so elite that we don’t really need him sometimes, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But when we do need him, I feel like he’s unreal.”
Michigan wideout Cornelius Johnson also shared what stands out about McCarthy.
“It’s just his mindset. He’s got a great mindset to compete and always finding ways to win. And then combine that with his physical attributes and his talent, and you have a national champion and winner. I’m excited to see his career.”
Johnson said McCarthy’s leadership is also one of his most prominent traits.
“On the field in those tough moments when we’re down or we’re trying to get a lead, build on a lead, in those road games where something might not be going the right way, you can always look to your fellow leaders and follow the way,” the Michigan wideout said.
All in all, his Michigan teammates believe whatever team selects McCarthy is getting the complete package.
“Unbelievable leader, great character, unbelievable quarterback, hard worker, just vibrant guy,” Wilson said. “Just the perfect football player you want in your program.”
