After capping his historic college career with a national championship, quarterback J.J. McCarthy is leaving the University of Michigan for the NFL.
The potential first-round pick led the Wolverines to an undefeated season and a 34-13 victory over Washington in the College Football Playoff national title game last Monday.
In announcing on social media Sunday that he will forgo his senior season in Ann Arbor to test the NFL draft waters, McCarthy declared himself ‘Forever a Michigan Man,’ punctuating it with emojis of a blue heart and a pair of praying hands.
“I have talked to many in and out of football, including my family, Coach Harbaugh, and many whose opinions I greatly admire and respect,’ he wrote. ‘The decision was not easy and how could it be − I love my teammates. I love my coaches and I love it here in Ann Arbor.”
McCarthy took over as starting quarterback midway through the 2021 season and guided Michigan to a 40-3 record that included three consecutive Big Ten titles − prompting Harbaugh to anoint him the greatest quarterback in school history.
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During his just-completed junior season, McCarthy finished third in the nation in quarterback rating, completing 240 of 332 passes (72.3%) for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and just four interceptions.
He joins star running back Blake Corum and several others from this year’s national championship squad in giving up their remaining college eligibility to go pro.
McCarthy has been widely projected as a first-round pick in most NFL mock drafts, but behind top-tier quarterbacks such as Caleb Williams of USC and Drake Maye of North Carolina.
USA TODAY Sports’ most recent mock draft has McCarthy going to the Las Vegas Raiders with the 13th overall pick.