The Michigan Wolverines have emerged victorious in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship, with J.J. McCarthy serving as their quarterback for the entire season.
The 20-year-old signal-caller has yet to decide his NFL future, as he stated in a December 2023 interview. Although winning the national championship could influence his decision, he has not explicitly announced his intention to enter the draft.
Throughout his three-season college football journey in Michigan, McCarthy has showcased steady progression in his performance.
In his freshman season in 2021, he completed 34 of 59 passes, achieving a 57.6% completion rate, amassing 516 yards, and throwing five touchdowns with only two interceptions.
The following year, 2022, in which he became a starter, witnessed even more impressive numbers as McCarthy completed 208 of 322 passes, translating to a 64.6% completion rate. He racked up 2,719 yards, registering 22 touchdowns while being intercepted five times.
However, 2023 was the definitive season for McCarthy with the Wolverines. He boasted an impressive 73.2% completion rate, completing 230 out of 314 passes for 2,851 yards.
Moreover, he maintained a decent touchdown-to-interception ratio, throwing 22 touchdowns against just four interceptions.
McCarthy's exceptional record as a starter over the past two seasons stands at 26-1, with his only defeat coming against TCU in last season's College Football Playoff semifinal.
The 2023 Rose Bowl Offensive MVP is projected to be a first-round pick in this year's draft, ascending from a Day 2 prospect before the 2023 season started.
The 2024 NFL Draft is set to occur between April 25 and 27, with the hard deadline for underclassmen to submit their petitions to the league set for January 15.
Read more: Washington Football: 3 Reasons Huskies Lost to Michigan in CFP National Championship
3 Reasons J.J. McCarthy Should Enter the 2024 NFL Draft
1. High draft stock for J.J. McCarthy right now.
Fresh off winning college football's biggest prize, McCarthy's draft stock could not be higher than it is now.
McCarthy is a strong contender to be selected as the fourth quarterback in the 2024 draft. USC Trojans' Caleb Williams and North Carolina Tar Heels' Drake Maye are widely regarded as the top prospects of the 2024 quarterback class.
Meanwhile, LSU Tigers' Jayden Daniels, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, is heavily favored to be the third quarterback chosen.
2. Jim Harbaugh's uncertain future in Michigan.
Harbaugh, the dynamic leader who steered the Wolverines to the national championship, is reportedly drawing significant attention from multiple NFL teams seeking a head coach. Meanwhile, his future with Michigan remains uncertain.
The 60-year-old has had a prior successful run in the NFL, coaching the San Francisco 49ers for four seasons from 2011 to 2014 and making an appearance in the Super Bowl XLVII.
With a potential new system in place, McCarthy faces the risk of struggling to integrate himself, plummeting his draft stock.
3. NFL money
According to the college sports news outlet On3, McCarthy's current NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) value is $1.4 million.
Meanwhile, Spotrac reported that in 2023, first-round NFL draft picks were expected to ink contracts ranging from a high of $41 million to a low of $12 million.
From a financial perspective, McCarthy could secure substantial wealth as early as now, especially since he is projected to be a first-round pick.
Related Article: Patriots: Who Should New England Take With the No. 3 Pick in the 2024 NFL Draft?
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