JJ McCarthy was not on my radar at all until I was watching Michigan’s last home game. It was Senior Day and one of Michigan ‘s senior offensive lineman (RG I think) went down with a leg injury. The serious type that stopped play for several minutes.
While they were stabilizing the leg, the OLineman’s parents made their way to the field. I remember just being very impressed watching McCarthy interact with his teammates and his injured teammate’s parents while this was unfolding. He was the leader comforting everyone and hugging his teammate’s mother as they tended to her son (and no, not in a Zach Wilson way). Remember thinking I could see 12 doing that.
One thing overlooked is how important being a natural leader is to being a winning QB. I was a fan from that point on and rooted for him and Michigan on their journey to their National Championship.
I’m prejudiced against short and slight QBs (give me 6’4” 235) and McCarthy is both. I’ve started watching video on the top QBs in this draft other than Caleb Williams who I don’t think will be there at 3. McCarthy is as impressive to me as either Maye or Daniels. I was very surprised and impressed to see the number of tight window passes McCarthy completed in the middle of the field.
McCarthy is not making it past the Raiders or Falcons I bet.
