J.J. McCarthy ‘Pretty Confident’ After Michigan Pro Day Ahead of 2024 NFL Draft

Julia StumbaughMarch 22, 2024

David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is “pretty confident” in his performance during the school’s Friday pro day, according to The Athletic’s Austin Meek.

More than 150 NFL personnel, including nine general managers, were in attendance to watch McCarthy throw, according to ESPN’s Matt Miller and Jim Nagy of the Senior Bowl.

“I just wanted to showcase the questions they had about out-breakers to the left and putting some air on the deep posts, stuff like that,” McCarthy said, according to Meek. “I felt like I did that today. I’m pretty confident with the showing I put out there.”

Brad Galli @BradGalliVideo: JJ McCarthy from Michigan’s Pro Day on Friday

Footage by MGoBlueTV pic.twitter.com/Li1tiO5Avs

McCarthy threw for around 25 minutes Friday, according to Miller, who described the session as “clean.”

Matt Miller @nfldraftscoutJJ McCarthy throwing session lasted about 25 minutes. It was clean—just two clear misses. He showcased zip and touch while hitting a lot of deep routes. He told me he wanted to show his touch placement and did well there. McCarthy has easy power and velocity.

McCarthy threw for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2023 during his second season as Michigan’s starter. He was ranked as the fourth-best quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft on the B/R NFL Scouting Department’s Big Board.

The Michigan quarterback made just 713 pass attempts in three college seasons, including two as a starter, giving scouts less of a sample size than what they can consider from other top quarterback prospects like USC’s Caleb Williams (1,099 pass attempts) and UNC’s Drake Maye (952 attempts).

McCarthy has the advantage, however, of finishing his college career with 27 wins in 28 starts. That record, combined with a successful pro day, could be enough to keep him among the top four quarterbacks selected on April 25.