J. J. McCarthy

McCarthy was born on January 20, 2003, in La Grange Park, Illinois.{{cite web|title=J.J. McCarthy|publisher=University of Michigan|access-date=September 24, 2021|url=https://mgoblue.com/sports/football/roster/j-j-mccarthy/22084}} He attended Nazareth Academy for high school until transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida as a senior in 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic that led to the cancellation of Nazareth's football season.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/michigan-ohio-state-football-quarterback-jj-mccarthy-meditation-11669166359|title=Who's That Meditating Under the Goal Post? Michigan Quarterback J.J. McCarthy|publisher=The Wall Street Journal|last=Bachman|first=Rachel|date=November 23, 2022|access-date=November 26, 2022|language=en}} In two seasons as the starting quarterback at Nazareth, he led his team to a 26–2 record with consecutive appearances in the IHSA Class 7A state championship game, winning the state title as a sophomore in 2018.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Michael |date=January 4, 2024 |title=Former Chicago area prep teammates reconnecting to help lead Michigan to the brink of a college football championship |url=https://wgntv.com/sports/former-chicago-area-prep-teammates-reconnecting-to-help-lead-michigan-to-the-brink-of-a-college-football-championship/ |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=WGN-TV |language=en-US}} In his lone season at IMG, he led his team to an 8–0 record and a consensus high school football national championship.{{Cite web |date=April 28, 2024 |title=IMG Academy Sets Program Record With Two Alumni Selected in the First Round of the 2024 NFL Draft |url=https://www.imgacademy.com/news/img-academy-sets-program-record-two-alumni-selected-first-round-2024-nfl-draft |access-date=September 21, 2024 |website=IMG Academy}}

McCarthy was a five-star recruit in the 247Sports composite rankings, which uses the ratings of each major recruiting website.{{Cite web|title=J.J. McCarthy Recruiting Profile|url=https://247sports.com/Player/jj-mccarthy-46042742/high-school-195165/|access-date=February 14, 2024|website=247Sports |language=en-US}} At age 16, McCarthy said Ryan Day "lied to my face" by telling him in March that Ohio State would not take a quarterback in the 2021 recruiting class until the end of the summer, but then accepted a commitment from Kyle McCord in April. Despite growing up an Ohio State fan, McCarthy committed to rival Michigan the next month over offers from 24 other schools, including Ohio State.{{Cite web |title=J.J. McCarthy Timeline Events |url=https://247sports.com/Player/jj-mccarthy-46042742/TimelineEvents/?Page=1 |access-date=December 31, 2024 |website=247sports.com}} Speaking about his new hatred of Ohio State, he said, "I used to love them. Now I want to kill them."{{Cite web |last=Wasserman |first=Ari |date=May 21, 2019 |title=Why J.J. McCarthy hates Ohio State and how the future Michigan QB could change the rivalry |url=https://theathletic.com/959251/2019/05/21/jj-mccarthy-michigan-commitment-2021-recruit/ |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=The Athletic |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Wasserman |first=Ari |date=November 25, 2023 |title=Wasserman: J.J. McCarthy, Kyle McCord and the costly decision Ryan Day got wrong |url=https://theathletic.com/5088973/2023/11/25/j-j-mccarthy-ryan-day-kyle-mccord/ |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=The Athletic |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Hole |first=Isaiah |date=November 21, 2023 |title=Once an Ohio State fan, an experienced J.J. McCarthy hoping to outduel friend Kyle McCord |url=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/2023/11/21/michigan-football-qb-jj-mccarthy-ohio-state-fan-friends-kyle-mccord/ |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=Wolverines Wire|publisher=USA Today |language=en-US}}

McCarthy played hockey growing up and said that was actually his first love, not football. Around his freshman year of high school, he made the decision to give up hockey in order to focus on football. McCarthy called it "one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make."{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Tony |date=November 9, 2022 |title=How did Michigan football's J.J McCarthy get so tough? He's a hockey player |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2022/11/09/michigan-football-jj-mccarthy-hockey-past-tough/69633822007/ |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=Detroit Free Press |language=en-US}} In eighth grade, he received a scholarship offer to play football at Iowa State from head coach Matt Campbell.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=June 10, 2017 |title=JJ McCarthy |url=https://x.com/jjmccarthy09/status/873740222860754945?s=20 |website=Twitter}}{{Cite web |last=Peterson |first=Randy |date=June 12, 2017 |title=Peterson: Iowa State's eighth-grade scholarship offer isn't so uncommon |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/randy-peterson/2017/06/12/peterson-iowa-state-cyclones-matt-campbell-offers-scholarship-to-eighth-grader-jj-mccarthy/388499001/ |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=The Des Moines Register |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Seals |first=Bill |date=June 12, 2017 |title=CycloneReport – More with frosh-to-be QB on Iowa State offer |url=https://iowastate.rivals.com/news/more-with-frosh-to-be-qb-on-iowa-state-offer |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=Rivals.com}}

{{See also|Michigan Wolverines football statistical leaders#Passing|label 1 = Michigan Wolverines statistical leaders}}

File:UM Western 09.04.21 1177 (51426523477).jpg, 2021]]

In May 2019, McCarthy committed to play college football at the University of Michigan and enrolled in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Broome |first=Anthony |date=May 11, 2020 |title=What five-star QB J.J. McCarthy brings to Michigan after officially signing |url=https://www.maizenbrew.com/michigan-football-recruiting/2020/5/11/21254857/jj-mccarthy-michigan-football-quarterback-signing-day-2021 |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=Maize n Brew |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Chengelis |first=Angelique S. |date=December 16, 2020 |title=Cornerstone recruits J.J. McCarthy, Donovan Edwards make it a banner day for Michigan |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2020/12/16/cornerstone-recruits-j-j-mccarthy-donovan-edwards-make-banner-day-michigan/3924283001/ |access-date=March 24, 2023 |language=en-US |newspaper=The Detroit News}}{{Cite web |last=Lesmerises |first=Doug |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy has said he wants to stick it to Ohio State – will he? Buckeyes best opponents, No. 28 |url=https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2021/06/michigan-qb-jj-mccarthy-has-said-he-wants-to-stick-it-to-ohio-state-will-he-buckeyes-best-opponents-no-28.html |access-date=March 24, 2023 |language=en |newspaper=Cleveland Plain Dealer}} He appeared in 11 games for the Wolverines during the 2021 season, primarily as a rotational backup behind Cade McNamara. He completed 34 of 59 passes for 516 yards, with five passing touchdowns and two interceptions, also rushing for 124 yards and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=J.J. McCarthy 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jj-mccarthy-1/gamelog/2021 |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |publisher=Sports Reference LLC |language=en}}

On September 4, 2021, he made his debut against Western Michigan, completing four of six passes for 80 yards, including his first collegiate touchdown pass, a 69-yard reception by Daylen Baldwin.{{Cite magazine |last=Lyons |first=Dan |date=September 4, 2021 |title=Watch: Insane Throw Made By Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy |url=https://thespun.com/big-ten/michigan-wolverines/jj-mccarthy-first-touchdown-pass-69-yards-daylen-baldwin-michigan-football |access-date=March 24, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}{{Cite web |last=Zuke |first=Ryan |date=September 4, 2021 |title=Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy gets creative on first TD pass: 'I'm not gonna coach that out of him' |url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2021/09/michigan-qb-jj-mccarthy-gets-creative-on-first-td-pass-im-not-gonna-coach-that-out-of-him.html |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=Mlive.com}} Against Wisconsin, McCarthy scored his first collegiate rushing touchdown to go up 20–10 in the middle of the third quarter, also connecting with Baldwin late in the game for a 56-yard touchdown in a 38–17 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/401282776|title=Michigan v. Wisconsin 2021|website=ESPN}} McCarthy again scored two touchdowns versus Maryland in week 11.{{cite web|url= https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401282770/michigan-maryland|title=Michigan v. Maryland 2021|website=ESPN}}

In the final game of the regular season against Ohio State, McCarthy helped Michigan defeat the Buckeyes to advance to the 2021 Big Ten Championship. McCarthy entered the game midway through the third quarter in a pivotal drive, and completed a 31-yard pass to Roman Wilson. Two plays later he had a key six-yard run to the 1 yard line, and Hassan Haskins bookended it with a touchdown run for a 28-13 Michigan lead.{{Cite web |last=Zuke |first=Ryan |date=November 29, 2021 |title=Michigan's confidence in QBs Cade McNamara, J.J. McCarthy continues to grow |url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2021/11/michigans-confidence-in-qbs-cade-mcnamara-jj-mccarthy-continues-to-grow.html?outputType=amp |access-date=October 6, 2024 |website=Mlive}} Michigan went on to beat the Buckeyes 42–27, and won a Big ten title the next week versus Iowa, Michigan's first conference title since 2004.{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Michael |date=December 4, 2021 |title=Michigan football wins Big Ten title with 42-3 win vs. Iowa, College Football Playoff next |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2021/12/04/michigan-football-big-ten-championship-game-recap-iowa-college-football-playoff/8871938002/ |access-date=October 6, 2024 |website=Detroit Free Press |language=en-US}}

In the Orange Bowl (CFP semifinal), against the eventual national champion Georgia Bulldogs, McCarthy replaced Cade McNamara in the second half after McNamara fumbled, having already thrown two interceptions and not scoring a touchdown with the offense. McCarthy provided an immediate spark, throwing a touchdown and accounting for 137 yards after taking over for the final 16 minutes of game time (fourth quarter plus one minute).{{cite web|url= https://www.espn.com/college-football/playbyplay/_/gameId/401331234|title= 2021 CFP Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl - play-by-play|website=ESPN}} This game started a quarterback competition leading into the next season, with many across college football and inside the program believing given both their performances in the Orange Bowl, and McCarthy's pedigree, that J. J. would be the starting quarterback in 2022.{{cite web | last=Biggers | first=Adam | title=Michigan football: Orange Bowl loss fairly prompts Cade McNamara vs. JJ McCarthy QB discussion | website=Saturday Tradition | date=January 1, 2022 | url=https://saturdaytradition.com/michigan-football/michigan-football-orange-bowl-loss-fairly-prompts-cade-mcnamara-vs-jj-mccarthy-qb-discussion/ | access-date=October 6, 2024}}{{cite web | last=McMann | first=Aaron | title=Cade McNamara or J.J. McCarthy in 2022? Let the Michigan QB debate begin | website=mlive | date=January 1, 2022 | url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2022/01/cade-mcnamara-or-jj-mccarthy-in-2022-let-the-michigan-qb-debate-begin.html?outputType=amp | access-date=October 6, 2024}}

Prior to the 2022 season, McCarthy competed with Cade McNamara for the role as Michigan’s starting quarterback.{{Cite web |last=Zuke |first=Ryan |date=August 29, 2022 |title=Michigan QB battle: Will J.J. McCarthy vs. Cade McNamara competition extend deep into season? |url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2022/08/michigan-qb-battle-will-jj-mccarthy-vs-cade-mcnamara-competition-extend-deep-into-season.html |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=mlive.com |language=en}} Before the opening game, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh announced that the competition was close and would continue at least for the first two games, with McNamara starting in the first week against Colorado State and McCarthy starting in the second week against Hawaii.{{Cite web |last=Meek |first=Austin |date=August 27, 2022 |title=Michigan's McNamara to start Week 1, McCarthy Week 2 |url=https://theathletic.com/3543161/2022/08/27/michigan-wolverines-mcnamara-mccarthy/ |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=The Athletic |language=en}}

McCarthy started and played most of the first half against Hawaii, completing 11 of 12 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns while leading the Wolverines to a 42–0 halftime lead.{{Cite web |date=September 10, 2022 |title=J.J. McCarthy becomes QB1, No. 4 Michigan tops Hawaii 56–10 |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401405077 |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} In his postgame press conference, Harbaugh announced that McCarthy would start against UConn in week 3 and added, "He's the starter moving forward on merit."{{Cite web |last=Rittenberg |first=Adam |date=September 10, 2022 |title=Michigan Wolverines sticking with QB J.J. McCarthy vs. UConn Huskies, likely moving forward |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/34567540/michigan-wolverines-sticking-qb-jj-mccarthy-vs-uconn-huskies-likely-moving-forward |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |last=Sabin |first=Rainer |date=September 11, 2022 |title=As Jim Harbaugh sees it, the future of Michigan football is J.J. McCarthy |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2022/09/11/jim-harbaugh-michigan-football-in-j-j-mccarthy/69484932007/ |access-date=March 24, 2023 |newspaper=Detroit Free Press}}

McCarthy continued as Michigan's starting quarterback, completing 15 of 18 passes against UConn for 214 yards, 18 of 26 passes against Maryland for 220 yards, and 18 of 24 passes against Iowa for 155 yards.{{Cite web |title=Connecticut at Michigan Box Score, September 17, 2022 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2022-09-17-michigan.html |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Maryland at Michigan Box Score, September 24, 2022 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2022-09-24-michigan.html |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Michigan at Iowa Box Score, October 1, 2022 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2022-10-01-iowa.html |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Against Indiana on October 8, he completed 28 of 36 passes for 304 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception (on a tipped ball in the end zone).{{Cite web |date=October 8, 2022 |title=No. 4 Michigan rallies without Hart to pull away at Indiana |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401405108 |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} To start November, McCarthy again had a three touchdown performance against Nebraska and Rutgers in consecutive weeks, two passing and one rushing touchdown in each contest.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401405133/michigan-rutgers|title=Michigan v. Rutgers 2022|website=ESPN}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401405137/nebraska-michigan|title=Michigan v. Nebraska 2022|website=ESPN}}

McCarthy helped lead the Wolverines into an undefeated matchup with the Buckeyes on November 26. He passed for 263 yards and three touchdowns, including 75 and 69 yard scores by Cornelius Johnson and a 45-yard grab by Colston Loveland. He also scored a rushing touchdown in the 45–23 victory over Ohio State.{{Cite web |title=Michigan at Ohio State Box Score, November 26, 2022 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2022-11-26-ohio-state.html |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}

In the 2022 Big Ten Championship, McCarthy threw for 161 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers, Ronnie Bell, Luke Schoonmaker and Colston Loveland, leading the Wolverines to a 43–22 victory versus Purdue, and Michigan's second straight Big Ten title.{{Cite web |date=December 3, 2022 |title=Michigan Captures Second Straight Big Ten Title After Big Second Half Derails Purdue |url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2022/12/3/football-michigan-captures-second-straight-big-ten-title-after-big-second-half-derails-purdue |access-date=September 21, 2024 |website=Michigan Wolverines Athletics}}

In the Fiesta Bowl, he completed 20 of 34 passes for a career-high 343 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, both returned for touchdowns, in the 51–45 loss to TCU in the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals. He also had 52 yards rushing and a score.{{Cite web |title=Fiesta Bowl – Texas Christian vs Michigan Box Score, December 31, 2022 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2022-12-31-michigan.html |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}

For the 2022 season, he completed 208 of 322 passes for 2,719 yards, 22 touchdowns, five interceptions, a 155.0 quarterback rating, as well as rushed for 306 yards and five touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=J.J. McCarthy 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jj-mccarthy-1/gamelog/2022 |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}

File:177 MBN S23G14 ROSE (53443376735).jpg]]

On September 2, 2023, in the season opener against East Carolina, McCarthy recorded his best career passing game at home, throwing for 280 yards and three touchdowns. His 86.7% completion percentage (26-for-30) then ranked second-highest in program history, behind Elvis Grbac's 90.9% (20-for-22) against Notre Dame on September 14, 1991.{{cite news|url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2023/9/2/football-postgame-notes-michigan-vs-east-carolina |title=Postgame Notes: #2 Michigan 30, East Carolina 3 |publisher=CBS Interactive |work=MGoBlue.com |access-date=September 2, 2023 |date=September 2, 2023}} The next week versus UNLV, McCarthy topped his previous percentage, completing 22 of 25 passes (88%) for 278 yards and two touchdowns.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401520202/unlv-michigan|title=Michigan v. UNLV 2023|website=ESPN}}

On September 30, McCarthy completed 12 of 16 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns against Nebraska, tying Todd Collins for ninth-most in program history with 37 career passing touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown.{{cite news|url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2023/9/30/football-postgame-notes-michigan-at-nebraska |title=Postgame Notes: #2 Michigan 45, Nebraska 7 |publisher=CBS Interactive |work=MGoBlue.com |access-date=September 30, 2023 |date=September 30, 2023}} On October 7, he had a passing touchdown and his first career game with two rushing scores in the victory over Minnesota. The following two weeks, McCarthy threw for 222 yards and three touchdowns versus Indiana, as well as 287 yards and a career best four passing touchdowns against the rival Michigan State Spartans on the road. In three games in October, McCarthy accounted for ten touchdowns.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/4433970/type/college/year/2023|title=J.J. McCarthy Game Log 2023|website=ESPN}} Against Purdue on November 4, he completed 24 of 37 throws for 335 yards, passing Tom Brady for ninth on the program's all-time passing yards list.{{cite news|url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2023/11/4/football-postgame-notes-michigan-vs-purdue |title=Postgame Notes: #2 Michigan 41, Purdue 13 |publisher=CBS Interactive |work=MGoBlue.com |access-date=November 4, 2023 |date=November 4, 2023}}

On November 25, in a third consecutive victory against Ohio State, McCarthy completed 16 of 20 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown to Roman Wilson, moving ahead of Shea Patterson for seventh on the program's all-time passing yards list.{{cite news|url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2023/11/25/football-postgame-notes-michigan-vs-ohio-state |title=Postgame Notes: #3 Michigan 30, #2 Ohio State 24 |publisher=CBS Interactive |work=MGoBlue.com |access-date=November 25, 2023 |date=November 25, 2023}} In the win against Iowa in the 2023 Big Ten Championship, McCarthy became the fastest quarterback to reach 25 career wins in the 144-year history of Michigan football (26 starts).

On January 1, 2024, in a 27–20 overtime win against Alabama in the Rose Bowl, he completed 17 of 27 passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers, Roman Wilson, Blake Corum and Tyler Morris. McCarthy was named Rose Bowl Offensive Player of the Game.{{Cite web |title=Michigan 27–20 Alabama (Jan 1, 2024) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401551786 |access-date=January 2, 2024 |website=ESPN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=McCollough |first=J. Brady |date=January 2, 2024 |title=Michigan defeats Alabama in Rose Bowl OT thriller to advance to national championship |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2024-01-01/rose-bowl-game-coverage-alabama-vs-michigan |access-date=January 2, 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en}} After the Rose Bowl, Harbaugh said that McCarthy is the greatest quarterback in Michigan football history. Tom Brady agreed with Harbaugh's statement in an Instagram comment.{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Erin |date=January 2, 2024 |title=Tom Brady Backs Jim Harbaugh Calling J.J. McCarthy Michigan's GOAT QB: 'No Doubt' |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10103341-tom-brady-backs-jim-harbaugh-calling-jj-mccarthy-michigans-goat-qb-no-doubt |access-date=April 25, 2024 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}

On January 8, 2024, against Washington in the National Championship, he completed 10 of 18 passes for 140 yards in a 34–13 win, leading Michigan to an undefeated 15–0 record and its first national championship title since 1997.{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2024 |title=Jim Harbaugh delivers a national title. Corum scores 2 TDs, Michigan overpowers Washington 34-13 |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401551789 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}{{Cite web |last=Meek |first=Austin |date=January 9, 2024 |title=Washington-Michigan live updates |url=https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/michigan-vs-washington-national-championship-live-score-updates-result/4zScDGVEEHc6/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=The Athletic |language=en}}

McCarthy finished his career at Michigan with a 27–1 record (.964) as the starting quarterback, the best winning percentage in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) history (1978–present), the third-best winning percentage in major college football history, and the best by any college quarterback since 1971.{{Cite web |last=Lage |first=Larry |date=January 14, 2024 |title=J.J. McCarthy entering NFL draft, skipping senior season after leading Michigan to national title |url=https://apnews.com/article/jj-mccarthy-michigan-nfl-draft-232bd26538ece67d5621a85100683de0 |access-date=May 19, 2024 |website=AP News}}{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2024 |title=Big Ten Football |url=https://x.com/B1Gfootball/status/1742246054387474615 |website=Twitter}} In each of his three years at Michigan, the Wolverines beat Ohio State, won the Big Ten title, and advanced to the CFP semifinal.{{cite news |last=Cohen |first=Michael |title=Michigan's J.J. McCarthy Remains Undecided About NFL Future |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/michigan-jj-mccarthy-remains-undecided-about-nfl-future |work=Fox Sports |date=December 18, 2023 |access-date=June 7, 2024 }}{{cite news |last=VanHaaren |first=Tom |title=Michigan's J.J. McCarthy to announce NFL draft decision Sunday |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/39303305/michigan-jj-mccarthy-announce-nfl-draft-decision-sunday |publisher=ESPN |date=January 13, 2024 |access-date=June 7, 2024 }}{{cite news |last=Pappalardo |first=Charlie |title=J.J. McCarthy declares for NFL Draft, brings Michigan career to a close |url=https://www.michigandaily.com/sports/football/j-j-mccarthy-declares-for-nfl-draft-brings-michigan-career-to-a-close/#google_vignette/ |newspaper=The Michigan Daily |location=Ann Arbor, Michigan |date=January 14, 2024 |access-date=June 7, 2024 }}{{cite news |last=Meyer |first=Craig |title=Who was last Michigan QB drafted in NFL draft's first round? J.J. McCarthy set to make history |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2024/04/25/jj-mccarthy-michigan-football-quarterback-2024-nfl-draft-jim-harbaugh-first-round/73444099007/ |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |date=April 25, 2024 |access-date=June 7, 2024 }}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 2 1/2

| weight = 219

| shuttle = 4.23

| cone drill = 6.82

| arm span = 31 5/8

| hand span = 9

| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/j.j.-mccarthy/32004d43-4318-9531-b3f5-120a14383239 |title=J.J. McCarthy Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=March 9, 2024}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1052962&DraftYear=2024 |title=2024 NFL Draft Scout J.J. McCarthy College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=March 12, 2024}}

}}

McCarthy was selected by the Minnesota Vikings tenth overall in the 2024 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Craig |date=April 25, 2024 |title=Vikings Draft Michigan Quarterback J.J. McCarthy with 10th Pick |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/jj-mccarthy-nfl-draft-quarterback-michigan |access-date=May 19, 2024 |website=Vikings.com}} He was the fifth of six quarterbacks taken in the first round, tied with the 1983 draft for the most in NFL history.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=April 25, 2024 |title=Six quarterbacks in first round ties NFL record |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/six-quarterbacks-in-first-round-ties-nfl-record |access-date=April 30, 2024 |website=NBC Sports}}

McCarthy was named the backup to Sam Darnold to open training camp.{{cite web |last1=Seifert |first1=Kevin |title=O'Connell says Sam Darnold starts as QB1 for Vikings camp |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40336744/oconnell-confirms-sam-darnold-start-vikings-training-camp |website=ESPN.com |date=June 12, 2024 |access-date=August 14, 2024}} Following the preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, in which he threw two touchdowns, he reported soreness in practice and was found to have fully torn his meniscus in his right knee.{{cite web |last1=Patra |first1=Kevin |title=Vikings rookie QB J.J. McCarthy shows promise with two TD passes in preseason debut |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/vikings-rookie-qb-j-j-mccarthy-shows-promise-with-two-td-passes-in-preseason-debut |website=NFL.com |access-date=August 14, 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Leahy |first1=Sean |last2=Casselberry |first2=Ian |title=Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy to undergo surgery for torn meniscus in right knee |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/vikings-qb-jj-mccarthy-to-undergo-surgery-for-torn-meniscus-in-right-knee-163654676.html |website=Yahoo Sports |date=August 13, 2024 |access-date=August 13, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/vikings-rookie-qb-jj-mccarthy-out-for-2024-season-after-surgery-174609263.html|title=Vikings rookie QB J.J. McCarthy out for 2024 season after surgery|first=Frank|last=Schwab|date=August 14, 2024|access-date=August 14, 2024}} McCarthy underwent surgery to repair it and was placed on injured reserve, becoming the first quarterback selected in the first round to miss his entire rookie season due to injury.{{cite web |last1=Gordon |first1=Grant |title=Vikings sign QB Matt Corral, place J.J. McCarthy on injured reserve |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/vikings-sign-qb-matt-corral-place-j-j-mccarthy-on-injured-reserve |website=NFL.com |access-date=August 28, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/vikings-j-j-mccarthy-becomes-first-first-round-quarterback-to-miss-entire-rookie-season-due-to-injury/|title=Vikings' J.J. McCarthy becomes first first-round quarterback to miss entire rookie season due to injury|first=Shanna|last=McCarriston|date=August 14, 2024|access-date=August 14, 2024}}

McCarthy is a practitioner of meditation, which he began doing in high school.{{Cite web |last=Lage |first=Larry |date=November 21, 2023 |title=J.J. McCarthy's meditation routine helps him clear mind to lead No. 3 Michigan vs. No. 2 Ohio State |url=https://apnews.com/article/michigan-ohio-state-jj-mccarthy-cc937c6d432b39529db25d872c2fc829 |access-date=November 28, 2023 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Skol |first=Mark |date=January 7, 2024 |title=Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy leans on meditation to battle depression |url=https://www.wthr.com/article/news/nation-world/michigan-quarterback-jj-mccarthy-leans-on-meditation-to-battle-depression/69-85ac3d0c-dd50-4b9a-a964-6525f1ee4569 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |website=wthr.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Peter |first=Josh |date=December 29, 2023 |title=How J.J. McCarthy's pregame ritual will help Michigan QB prepare to face Alabama |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2023/12/29/j-j-mccarthy-michigan-quarterback-alabama-meditation-college-football-playoff/72060434007/ |access-date=January 9, 2024 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} McCarthy is engaged to high school sweetheart Katya Kuropas, who he proposed to just weeks after winning the national title.{{Cite web |last=Richards |first=Bailey |date=January 22, 2024 |title=Michigan Quarterback J.J. McCarthy Is Engaged to High School Sweetheart Katya Kuropas! |url=https://people.com/michigan-quarterback-jj-mccarthy-engaged-to-katya-kuropas-8547088 |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=People |language=en}}

On May 21, 2025, McCarthy announced that his fiancée is pregnant and due in September 2025.

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|J. J. McCarthy (American football)|J. J. McCarthy}}

• {{Twitter|jjmccarthy09}}
• [https://www.vikings.com/team/players-roster/j-j-mccarthy/ Minnesota Vikings bio]
• [https://mgoblue.com/sports/football/roster/j-j-mccarthy/22084 Michigan Wolverines bio]

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Category:2003 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football quarterbacks

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