JJ McCarthy: Polished and NFL Ready | 2024 NFL Scouting Report 

I think a lot of the checkdown-charlie type stuff is what Michigan's offense emphasizes. In interviews, he had talked about how he was coached to "never get bored taking a profit" i.e. don't risk it, take the checkdown since Michigan is a time of possession team. A good nfl qb coach will train that out of him.

JJ being afraid to let it rip is the craziest knock i have ever seen for him.

Michigan has a great running game and defense. Throwing slot fades to covered 5-9 receivers would have gotten McCarthy benched.

I'm convinced this was Harbaughs coaching. no risk, run the ball and just dont mess up the short game. 1on1 fades are risk, the drive concept is risk. He has all the tools though

I will agree that McCarthy throws the ball at one pace, fast, and on a line. With deep balls, that means a safety has no chance to to run over and pick the ball, and receivers have no chance to run underneath a balloon ball and make an easy catch. Michigan was confident it could move the chains and score with runs and short passes, and deep passes were rarely called by Harbaugh. Contrary to the opinion you expressed, deep passes are bad plays which generally are only called when teams are two scores down midway through the 4th qtr, or improvised when a CB trips and falls. They take a long time to develop, increasing the odds of a holding penalty being called. The odds of a sack increase, including the odds of a strip sack, or a crushing blind side hit that leaves the QB with cracked ribs. Most long passes end up incomplete with no yardage gained towards a new set of downs. Anybody who thinks throwing 50-50 balls 60 yards downfield within the Michigan running offense is a smart move needs to be more of a coach and less of a fan of exciting pass plays. The scoreboard does not register exciting plays. It registers points. Michigan had a game manager for a QB in Cade McNamara, who is a good college QB who we Michigan fans will remember fondly for being at the helm when Blue beat OSU, won the B!G championship, and went to the college playoff for the first time in eons. But nobody I know of in the Michigan fan base wanted McNamara to continue as the starter in 2022. Everybody was clamoring to bench him and let J.J. do his thing. J.J. was so obviously way better than McNamara that there was never any doubt he would start. We were right. Michigan never wins the Natty with McNamara as its QB. The team needed a true star to run the show. That's why I bristle to hear anybody describe J.J. as a "game manager". I watched him outshine the game manager type like a supernova outshines a lit match.

I honestly like JJ a lot. I think he has the potential to be the best QB in this class. But like you said the amount of reps and type of reps are the biggest concern. I’m familiar enough with Harbaugh to know how he’s coaching this guy. “Don’t take big risks outside of 3rd and 5+, take care of the football and just take what the defense gives you” that’s how he wants his QBs to play. So it’s tough to evaluate him because the offense held him back. If he was on an offense who throws the ball 40+ times per game we might be talking about him like he’s Joe burrow. (Just an example, not actually comparing) we see the traits he needs to go to next level. And most of his flaws are coachable. When it comes to accuracy that you are talking about, I feel like that’s more of him needing to learn how to layer throws instead of just trying to rifle it every time. Which can be coached. This is all just my opinion, I’m just a fan who loves draft season. Great video. Love your content 🫡.

Killer video brother

He checked it down 4 yards to get 3 points instead of throwing a 50/50 ball that could get picked and that’s bad football? Are you sure you know what you’re talking about???

Situational awareness. If you have a lead on the road late you take the safe play, a shoot out you take your shots, at home you get more aggressive as needed.

Every scouting video i see of this years QB class I'm like that's my guy, that's not my guy, maybe that could be my guy?

the best feedback on jj was that he was never asked to win with his arm like a Penix or Nix or Daniels throwing 35-45 times a game as Michiagan would run the ball 25-35 times a game, but when they needed his arm to march down the field with his arm he was always successful and that is a unique skill

I watched an interview where Joe Montana said that arm strength is overrated, He said that if you make it to the NFL, you have a strong arm. Now, neither Montana or Tom Brady were known for having strong arms coming out of college. 11 Super Bowls combined is not bad.

again, where do you get all this footage? its notoriously hard to get footage of college games - just curious, please share :)

As Lions fan, even in the NFL sometimes the ball gets tipped up in the air the receiver gets lucky.

I whole hartedly agree that JJ doesnt have to prove he can gun it on every single throw. Having touch is equally important.

54th ranked rushing offense isn't elite. They rushed 563 times for 2536yds, with 4.50yd/avg. Only in 2 games this season did the leading rusher have 100+yds. And their defense is so good yet no one who declared is projected going in the 1st round and barely one in the 2nd round

3rd in the country in completion percentage, 1st in the country in long 3rd down completion percentage. He will be the best quarterback in this draft, hands down.

That is 1 thing ill agree with. The development of the lob needs to continue to be dressed and idk the arm strength thing i seen him chucking it 50-60yrds without strain. I think the vikings offense and throwing more will help and stay in rythm. He has all the ability and skill set if him and Justin Jefferson can get that go route down lol

I think Minnesota is the perfect landing spot. KoC is all about taking shots down the field, plenty of weapons, Jefferson and company, great OTs

McCarthy just turned 21 in January. He was only 20 in these clips. He’s well advanced of where Daniels or anyone else was at his age.

Also your criticism of Derek is off base. When Carr had Adams, Adams led the league in deep yardage. When Carr had Aghalor he had 9 deep touchdown passes. Carr’s problem isn’t that he doesn’t throw deep. Carr loses control when he cranks his throws. This hurts his team in the red zone. Carr has been captain checkdown in the past, such as in 2018, but he had undrafted rookie Marcel Ateman as his number 1 receiver. Criticizing someone for not throwing deep when they don’t have someone who can consistently beat man coverage down field is a ridiculous criticism.

JJ is also barely 21 years old when so many other QBs in this draft are 23-24 years old. Most media and fans don’t care about that, but the NFL GMs absolutely do.

He threw when it was in the play, and he was the answer when one was needed. His touchdowns were cut down because he was in an offense that was run first. Which meant when they were in the red zone the were going to run for the touchdown. But the majority of times he was called upon to make plays, he made them. In the right offense I think he could do so much more.

He's just solid. It seems to me that when he needed to step up, he was flawless. His 3rd down numbers are insane as well as his numbers under pressure. The media types are all late on Mccarthy. The NFL guys have had him very high all along. Would not be surprised if he goes 5-7.

I liked him the first time I saw Michigan play last season.

Strange only one quarterback at the combine threw one faster than McCarthy did. 61 MPH.

McCarthy may not have the strongest arm in this class, but only because Maye, Williams and Milton will have some of the strongest arms in the NFL. McCarthy has a cannon, and will also be in the class.

He threw second hardest at the combine. His arm is very strong. Watch more games and you'll see it. Arm chair qb breakdowns. Everyone says he has a strong arm.

Can you do Notre Dames Sam Hartman please

I think most of your comments on his passing come from his sophomore year with only a few games under his belt as a starter. His missed long balls were to Ronnie Bell, among others. He was more accomplished his Junior year, his Natty year.

You give him a couple years in a real passing offense and let his skills continue to shine I know hes going to be a top 5 QB in the league. Think the vikings roster suits him well if they can get the o line solid

I know you're just trying to make a point at 18:00 but this exact play is what all the GOAT QBs of the NFL would take any day of the week. its 2nd in 10, getting 5 yards to make it 3rd&5 HUGE. Seriously, it cant be understated how important getting those 5 yards to make it 3rd and manageable is. Mahomes, Brady, Montana, they are all taking those 5 yards.

Definitely would be great picture in Denver

McCarthy seemingly has the management part nailed. Great field awareness. However, except for when he goes for high velocity, his ball usually wobbles. I think this is linked to his miss rate on longer throws, which seem to connect to his feet on those misses (e.g. lifting his back foot early). Leads me to wonder if this inefficiency enters the check down choices. As in, if he can’t throw a bullet due to his foot position in the moment, does he default to a check down? And does that transition result in a habit of poorer throwing mechanics? Some QBs seem to toss spirals time after time, despite foot placement. He can address the wobbles. Will he?

Excuse the mixed sport comparison, but as a MN guy I think of how Karl Anthony Towns was 2-for-8 from three pointers in college. He wasn't allowed to take them, but damn can he actually shoot them!

J.J. Has that Clutch gene

JJ has a rocket launcher for an arm and he plays smart. Not a throw he can’t make. Vikes JJ and Addison are both going to love this guy.

just a pats guy here ..from what ive been looking between all these qbs, other than Williams, this kid looks the part except his deep pass

Comments angry from a bunch of Michigan fans and ppl who are trying to overate the prospect. This is a great breakdown. I think ideally JJ should be an early day 2 guy but he’ll go in round 1 bc of how QBs are drafted nowadays

i can really see jj mccarthy going to the vikings he would be a great fit with their top notch recievers~!

He will get the ball to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and TJ hockingson. Even distribution of the rock. Welcome to skol Nation. First of many Superbowl championships.

On third and long McCarthy had one of the highest conversion rates in college history, so when the team needed him to bail them out he excelled.

If a player is told to take the open receiver vs throw a jump ball does that make them scared? Also sure Penix threw a lot of passes but how many were against a top 25 defense? 49.7% of McCarthy's pass attempts were against a top 25 defense.

Man.. with the hype around Broncos and JJ, in national media and local, I'm gonna be real sad if it doesn't work out for us to draft him... this is the closest thing we've had to a legit Franchise qb since Manning and he was only 4 years a Bronco.

Daboll can mold him.

So outside of him not having a feel for the deep ball you're saying his real fault is he's not aggressive enough against man coverage. Not sure if that was a personality trait or something pushed in the system due to personnel. Where would be a good draft spot that he could grow out of that?

great breakdown. could've done without the cheap shot on Minnesota's caliber of defensive player though. Especially considering there are a dozen or so starting NFL players that came from Minnesota, like Antoine Winfield Jr, Blake Cashman, Eric Murray, Boye Mafe, Benjamin St Juste, Terrell Smith, DeVondre Campbell, and projected first round safety Tyler Nubin. Cmon now!

Your check-down criticism illustrates a big difference between JJ and Nix. I have seen a clip of the same sort of play where Bo Nix would shoulder fake the check-down, then flip the go route down the sideline. This was where I thought Nix showed he's ready to sting NFL cornerbacks with serious pro plays. Nix does convincing fakes, then completes a pass. Can JJ learn fakes? Yes. Will they ever be as slick as Nix's fakes? Probably not. Still, McCarthy does other things better than Nix, so it may be a wash. They'll both be good, but not ideal.

I’ve never heard any QB analysts suggest under throwing a deep ball to let your receiver make a play. Under thrown balls get picked off. If a receiver is to make a play, it’s to go get that ball.

Playing QB is the most difficult position in sports-many times over. JJ has lost THREE games his entire life in-which he has started. As someone who has played and coached for many years and fully understands the "bottom line" the complaints and criticisms, if not mindless and senseless, are definitively premature.

Being a check down QB will serve him early. Coaching will get him out of that habit once he gets mpre confident.

At 16:40 If these running backs are so great as to "carry" JJ and Michigan to a national tile they should learn to block "most dangerous" instead of the guy who's blocked by the tackle. If so maybe JJ can throw the Slot fade that's 1 on 1. PS: By the way worst case scenario in the redzone is a turnover with 0 points on the board and your team takes a silly loss. Also because the college playoffs is decided by whatever the committee feels like judging on that day means the current national champion is not even in the playoffs. But... hey, at least JJ tried a 1on1 with his average receiver talent group in that loss in that 1 game..

I do wonder just how much practice reps against Michigan’s first and second team defenses made him risk adverse. Seriously. A lot of the decisions he makes… seem predicated on the look and not the personnel he’s going against. Like the first highlighted clip… cover 1 with a slot fader. Well in practice that defender is Mikey and how many of those plays were picks in practice lol. He might be the perfect example of player who would greatly benefit from cross team scrimmages.

Thank you Tank. If this was anyone else. Ain't no way Penix gets bagged to 2nd/third round, but JJ is getting the Ponder treatment.

Doesn’t have the guts to throw the ball long vs Alabama????? You lost your credibility with that comment … he had the guts to drive the ball the length of the field with less than 4 minutes left I assure you he has the guts .

Best third down 7+ to QB in the country

I am definitely in the minority of Seahawks fans but I really really want him to fall to 16. Let him set behind Geno for a year and add some weight and mature just a bit. I highly doubt he makes i past 12 though.

Please do Spencer rattler im sure you will be surprised

So why didn’t yall call Andrew luck a game manager and his college stats are similar to JJ.

That Derek Carr callout seemed personal 😂 are you a raider or saints fan? Haha yeah I HATED how much that dude just checked it down or gave up on plays during money downs. 🙄 lol

I love McCarthy, severely underrated passer but you were dead on when you said when he's off he's off. It's not very often but he's either playing great or playing wtf. Lol

I could be wrong, and I have been wrong alot..When I see JJ McCarthy I see Zach Wilson 2.0...Bear in mind, Zach Wilson had better video footage in college.

Yo guy? Do you know McCarthy's 3rd down completion % and conversions? I am not sure you know what you are talkign about

JJ played the whole second half against Penn St hurt.

Patriots might draft JJMCARTHY, HE Vastly underrated, he is very young like Maye , however his game is more refined and shows better decision making skills, under pressure for 3rd downs his numbers are the best in the draft much like number 12 Reply

His instincts are correct. Everything else can be trained. Hope the pats take him over Maye.

Tom Brady didn’t blow up the stat sheet either, yet has 7 super bowls .

To me i think he needs to sit a year or two to get the most out of him.

I dont think his arm is weak, but he lacks accuracy and decision making. He has no touch on his throws. The decision making can be coached to an extent, but accuracy and touch cant. He doesnt have the ability to make quick reads and find/make those dart passes that win games. Look at mahomes and what makes him great. He makes fast reads and throws darts into small windows. He isnt scared and trusts his arm to make the plays. Mccarthy is a next level blaine gabbert and I truly hope he ends up on a team that isnt mine. I would much rather have bo nix or penix, but would also add I think Drake Maye is BY FAR the best QB in the class

The most complete breakdown of JJM. Touched everything I saw and then some. Best take was his touch on long throws, he is horrible at this. He has two throws in his bag: hard and harder. Even the ones he has made looked bad, like that Ohio State game in ‘22. His receivers always had to wait forever for it. I feel like he has trauma from the TCU game that he’s never fully recovered from

They gonna hype him up...just like they did...Tribisky... Zac Wilson..Tanneyhill...and every other mediocre white QB...instead of just grading him where he is...and that's a 4th 5th round grade

I think Spencer Rattler is QB #4.

If you have a complete team that doesn't just chuck the ball constantly then you are "game manager"

I don't see a first-round pick. A 3rd rd talent where he can grow into a starter.

No disrespect to JJ, but this looks like a Colston Loveland highlight reel....🙂

I mean... He got Brock Purdy right.

In the right hands he can develop in to a decent QB but if a team like ATL takes him, he's prob screwed.

There is going to be a bunch of trades in this coming draft.

anyone who calls JJ McCarthy a game manager doesn't know what the term means and shouldn't use it

Arm strength?? He threw the fastest ball besides Milton. Milton through 63mph and JJ 61mph.

If the patriots draft this guy im going to launch myself into the sun

He’s also the youngest of the bunch. Needs more experience.

60 yard bomb at combine and 61 mph throw yeah weak arm smh and also averages 9 yards per pass and best qb in draft on 3rd downs and he's only 21 yrs old.did he bang your girlfriend

He play like a more talented version of Brock Purdy

I've been waiting for this one. I didn't understand the rise in draft stock at all and while I still don't agree with it I at least have a better understanding now.

Derek Carr is a decent comp, but I don't think he'll be that good. At best, McCarthy will be a back up in the NFL

Did you say his name enough I think after 50 times we know who your talking about

I think his arm gets exposed as garbage whenever he has throw with touch or arc. He has little control/accuracy when throwing downfield with touch. His arm looks weak when throwing beyond around 25 yards.

My goodness the number of internet scouts is unreal.

Jayden would of thrown just as bad at the combine.

He throws like brees imo even down to the footwork

He only worked with in the offense that Harbaugh give him.

qb5.

Bro you just calling him a game manager on every throw. Even if its a missle in between 2 defenders like cmon u sound like a bot

Would have "ran" is lousy English.

Yeah, which unfortunate team is going to draft him in the 1st rd? I hope he goes in the top 5 so my Giants don't have the chance to make that mistake

He wasnt carried lol

Yup JJ sucks at the deep ball. He has no touch pass, that’s why Michigan hardly threw deep balls. Luckily he hit wide open receivers against osu at osu in 22.

I think he is another coming of Mac Jones. If he gets put in a position to actually support him, he will succeed and if he doesn’t he won’t succeed

He’s not polished nor NFL ready