J.J. McCarthy 2024 Dynasty Rookie Profile

JJ McCarthy 2024 Dynasty Rookie Profile

Position: QB

School: Michigan

Class: Junior

Date of Birth: January 20, 2003

Height: 6-2 1/2 Weight: 219 lbs

 

Athletic Testing

Bio

Growing up in La Grange Park, Illinois, J.J. McCarthy played three years for Nazareth High School. As a sophomore, McCarthy led Nazareth to a 13-1 record and a Class 7A state title. After his junior year, McCarthy transferred to prep school juggernaut IMG Academy for his last season. McCarthy led IMG to a 2020 National Championship and a first overall ranking in MaxPrep’s final 2020 high school football ranking. IMG outscored opponents 381-82 after going 8-0 in 2020.

After backing up Cade McNamara in 2021, the two entered a quarterback battle to start the 2022 season. McNamara opened the season against Colorado State as the starter, while McCarthy started Week 2 against Hawaii. McCarthy started in Week 3 against UCONN, and never relinquished the job. Michigan outscored opponents from Week 3 to the Big Ten Championship 414-157. With 20+ point victories over Penn State and Ohio State, Michigan finished the season 13-0 heading into the College Football Playoffs. A down game against a surprising TCU team ended the Wolverine season. McCarthy averaged just 24.5 attempts per game, in large part due to a strong rushing attack and large leads.

2023 was a year of revenge for McCarthy and the Wolverines. McNamara transferred to Iowa, leaving no doubt this was McCarthy’s team. Without coach Jim Harbaugh in half the regular season, the Wolverines still outscored opponents 477-123 through the Big Ten Championship and a perfect 13-0 record. As the #1 ranked team, Michigan was still doubted against Nick Saban and Alabama in the Rose Bowl; the Wolverines won 27-20 in overtime, where McCarthy led a eight play, 75 yard drive with less than five minutes in regulation. Michigan dominated the National Championship game, winning 34-13 over Washington. McCarthy only attempted 18 passes.

College Stats

J.J. McCarthy College Stats Courtesy of sports-reference

Positives

+ Winner

+ 28 starts (27-1 record)

+ Poise

+ Strong pocket presence

+ Mobile

+ Consistency

+ High floor

 

Negatives

– 9 inch hand size; at the cutoff for too small

– No elite physical traits

– Can focus too long on first read

 

Highlight Reel

 

Comparison: Alex Smith

Archetype: Pocket Passer

Yards Per-Formance Grade: 80.0 (86th percentile)

Draft Projection: 1st round

Bottom Line:

While McCarthy enters this NFL Draft with the fewest attempts among the top tier quarterbacks, McCarthy has won throughout his entire career. Championships at the high school level, and McCarthy closed his college career with wins over Alabama and Washington. At worse, McCarthy has displayed a high floor of a game manager. McCarthy remains poised in the pocket and does well under pressure. He never seems to get too high or too low when playing, remaining consistent and even keeled throughout.

McCarthy does have smaller hands; the rule of thumb is to have a hand size of at least nine inches. That’s what McCarthy measured in at during the 2024 NFL Combine. He is not physically elite, but that does not take away from his play. I would expect McCarthy to continue to consistent variable among a winning team at the next level.

For 2024 rookie drafts, I would expect McCarthy to go in the late second to early third round. In superflex rookie drafts, I would expect McCarthy to go in the back half of the first round. It’s very possible McCarthy is a much better NFL quarterback than fantasy football quarterback.

Resources: DLF, PlayerProfiler, PFN, PFF, TDN

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