J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Size:
Height: 6’2.5”
Weight: 219 pounds
Arm Length: 32”
Hand Size: 9”
Accomplishments:
National Champion (2023) • Manning Award Finalist (2023) • Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Finalist (2023)
“J.J. McCarthy’s combination of arm talent and athletic ability gives him the ability to develop into a high-level starting quarterback with time and reps.”
Strengths:
Athletic ability
High upside
Attacking between the numbers
Poise
Concerns:
Small/slender frame
Consistency in drop-back passing game
Deep throws outside the numbers
Film Analysis:
J.J. McCarthy is a toolsy, young quarterback with a good ceiling and floor. McCarthy can win within and outside of the offensive structure. He is a good and fluid passer of the football. I appreciate his ability to throw with different speeds and with control. He can layer the football well with appropriate touch and air underneath the pass. McCarthy’s arm is more than NFL-caliber. He drives throws in the middle of the field with good velocity and zip. He is capable of fitting passes into tighter windows versus both man and zone coverages.
He has flashed as a quick decision-maker in the passing game. Whether off hard play-action, RPOs, or true dropback, McCarthy can operate quickly. He thrives and lives in the middle of the field, between the hashes as a three-level passer. I came away impressed with his ability to quickly identify the blitz and find his “hot” route. Against the blitz this season, he completed nearly 70% of his passes for 1,156 passing yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. He is willing to take whatever the defenses give him. McCarthy checks the ball down to his open outlets after surveying down the field.
McCarthy is a plus-athlete. He is a real threat to hurt defenses with his running ability. An NFL offensive coordinator will have more options within the playbook to feature McCarthy in the running game. QB zone-reads, QB counters, etc. are available with him at the helm. He has a good level of elusiveness in the pocket to evade/avoid free-running defenders and climb the pocket. His athleticism creates second-reaction throws outside the pocket. When McCarthy is playing out of the pocket, he remains a QB first, keeping his eyes down the field before he takes off to gain as many yards with his legs as possible.
McCarthy was held back by Michigan’s offense to an extent. They were a little restricting in tighter games versus better competition with his usage, not allowing him to consistently throw the football game to game. He lacks true dropback reps as a passer, but when he had them, plays were made. McCarthy’s processing speed can be hit or miss as a result of inconsistent drop-back attempts. He will stare down his first read a bit too long and bring defenders into the throwing window. Potential usage as a runner should be calculated decisions because of McCarthy’s slim/slender frame. The more reps he gains, the better he will be with his trigger. At times, he double-clutches the ball instead of letting it rip to the open receiver with a defender driving downhill. Improving his deep passing game outside the numbers will be paramount to how high his ceiling will be in the NFL.
McCarthy projects as a high-ceiling quarterback who has some development to undergo. His experience running and executing NFL/pro-style concepts will help his transition to the NFL. His combination of arm talent, ball placement, and athleticism will be too enticing for teams to pass up in round one.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Winning Starter
Written By: Damian Parson
Exposures: Ohio St. (2023), Alabama (2023), Purdue (2023), Michigan St. (2023), Rutgers (2023), Ohio St. (2022), TCU (2022)
