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Every NFL Draft, there is always a wild card. This year’s was J.J. McCarthy.
The Michigan quarterback and reigning national champion shot up draft boards in recent weeks, months after not even being considered a first-rounder to begin the 2023 college season.
Even Jim Harbaugh, his college head coach, made the bold prediction McCarthy would be the first quarterback taken off the board. But he wound up being the fifth.
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J.J. McCarthy of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after defeating the Washington Huskies in the 2024 CFP national championship game at NRG Stadium Jan. 8, 2024, in Houston. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
After all the rumors and speculation, McCarthy fell to the 10th pick and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings, who moved up a spot to snag him.
The New York Jets initially held the selection. But once Michael Penix Jr. was surprisingly selected at No. 8 by the Atlanta Falcons, the Vikings apparently felt they couldn’t wait any longer.
Minnesota sent No. 11, a fourth-rounder and a fifth-rounder in exchange for No. 10 and 203.
In two seasons as Michigan’s full-time starter (29 games), McCarthy completed 68.5% of his passes for 5,710 yards, 44 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
J.J. McCarthy of the Michigan Wolverines warms up before a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Michigan Stadium Nov. 4, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
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Despite his name shooting up the rankings, there is still doubt whether he can carry a team. Even in the national championship, McCarthy was 10-for-18 passing for 140 yards and zero touchdowns in the 34-13 victory over Washington.
But, in maybe the biggest drive of his career during the Rose Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal, he delivered down seven to Alabama with less than five minutes to go. McCarthy completed a 27-yard pass on 4th and 2, then ran for 16 yards, found Roman Wilson for another 29, then threw a four-yard score to Wilson that sent the game to overtime. Michigan, of course, wound up winning.
QB J.J. McCarthy (9) of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with the trophy after the Michigan Wolverines defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide in overtime of the CFP semifinal Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 2024. (Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Now, he finds himself in some fairly decent company. He’ll be throwing to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and, when he returns from a torn ACL, T.J. Hockenson.
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