DETROIT – Michigan Wolverines national championship-winning quarterback J.J. McCarthy was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 10 pick in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday.
The Vikings are sending the New York Jets the No. 11, 129, and 157 to select McCarthy. Including No. 10, they’ll acquire pick No. 203 for the Michigan superstar.
#Jets get 11, 129 overall and 157 overall for 10 and 203 to the #Vikings.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 26, 2024
McCarthy’s tenure with the Wolverines was nothing short of remarkable, culminating in a stellar 27-1 record, a testament to his exceptional performance and leadership on the field.
The AP All-Big Ten quarterback and quarterback of the year is known by many names, like a national champion of the winningest program in college football, but the Vikings are getting a player who plays with a chip on his shoulder and can make a play with his legs when needed.
With former Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh, McCarthy has plenty of experience working under center in a pro-style passing-offensive scheme.
He also has moxie when throwing tough passes in the midst of taking big hits in order to squeeze out extra yards, which will come in handy alongside wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
McCarthy ended his stellar career undefeated at 15-0, beating the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl and winning the national championship by taking down fellow 2024 draft classmate Michael Penix Jr. and his Washington Huskies.
The 6′3″, 202-pound top-flight competitor draws comparisons to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
Although he has experience in a pro-style offense, draft aficionados label him as a consummate game manager who threw for 2,991 passing yards, ranking fourth all-time in program history.
He also threw for 22 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons and only four interceptions, with his last one coming in week three.