No quarterback prospect entering the 2024 NFL Draft has had the success that J.J. McCarthy achieved in his career with the Michigan Wolverines.
Not only did the 21-year-old signal-caller lead Michigan to its first National Championship in over 30 years, but his 27-1 record marked the third-highest winning percentage for a quarterback in college football history.
It’s his ability to succeed in big moments, coupled with his raw talent, that continues to push him up draft boards for several NFL organizations, with one analyst on Friday morning even guaranteeing McCarthy gets drafted in the top five.
NFL Analyst Jumps on J.J. McCarthy Bandwagon
Despite early pushback, there have been growing reports that McCarthy will not just have his name called early in the first round in April’s NFL Draft, but that he will be a top-five pick when all is said and done.
ESPN NFL analyst and former quarterback Dan Orlovsky has jumped on the bandwagon of belief in the young former Wolverine.
“Realistically, there are three teams within 10 picks of that fourth pick that need a quarterback,” Orlovsky stated on ESPN’s Friday Edition of Get Up. “Is four rich for J.J. McCarthy? Probably. That’s the game in the NFL. Is he likely the fourth-best player in this draft? No. But he’s going to go top-five, and teams will get aggressive.”
Orlovsky’s comments regarding where McCarthy could fall are emblematic of a growing thought in most NFL circles. NFL organizations reportedly like the Michigan product’s ability to play within the schedule of an offense, and he has many of the tools teams look for in a top player at the position.
In three seasons with the Wolverines, McCarthy completed over 67% of his passes for 49 passing scores and just 11 interceptions. He added 10 touchdowns rushing on the ground en route to helping Michigan win the Big Ten title in each of the last three seasons.
The growing popularity around McCarthy has led to some even questioning if he would go ahead of a top prospect like North Carolina’s Drake Maye.
Orlovsky continued Friday morning to detail why that was the case.
“He’s the most consistent quarterback in the draft, in my opinion. Is he the most talented? No,” Orlovsky explained. “Anyone who says he doesn’t have top-five talent, they haven’t really watched him that much. He was the best quarterback in college football last year on third down. When the money is on the line, he was the best guy in college football.”
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Many detractors point to McCarthy playing within a dominant Michigan program as the reason for his overall success. Michigan lost just one game in each of the last two seasons and boasted a top rushing attack and defense to fit nicely alongside McCarthy’s style of play at quarterback.
Orlovksy isn’t concerned with the talent, though. He believes the quarterback’s Pro Day will only enhance the notion that McCarthy is a top player in the draft and will go a lot earlier than many may think.
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