Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy declares for the NFL Draft

The Wolverines quarterback only lost one game in college and helped lead Michigan to a national championship this season.

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy won’t be back in Ann Arbor for a repeat effort, as he announced on Sunday that he would declare for the 2024 NFL draft.

“This decision was not easy and how could it be,” McCarthy wrote in his statement.

“It is almost impossible to put into words what this University and my time here has meant to me,” he added.

McCarthy started for the Wolverines for the past two seasons, winning all but one of his games. He led Michigan to two Big Ten conference titles (thanks to consecutive wins over Ohio State), two College Football Playoff appearances, and the 2023 national title in a big win over Washington.

Across his three seasons as a Wolverine, McCarthy threw for 6,266 yards, 49 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He only threw 10 more attempts in 2023 than he did the year prior, but he completed 32 more passes for 272 yards as he increased his efficiency across the board.

He added 632 yards and 10 touchdowns with his legs.

McCarthy’s draft stock will be curious to watch, as his underlying stats are efficient but the Wolverines only asked him to throw 21 attempts per game across their last six games of the season, including 18 passes in the title game and only eight attempts in a victory over Penn State.

Get more Michigan coverage at Wolverines Wire.