The Rose Bowl showdown between the Michigan Wolverines and the Alabama Crimson Tide is finally happening on Monday! But another hot discussion is at hand as Michigan’s starting QB JJ McCarthy unravels his thoughts about playing in the NFL. And this came a couple of days after his head coach gave him an “NFL ready” compliment. 

Recently, HC Jim Harbaugh showed his belief in his star QB when he said, “Oh yeah, can’t lie he’s not NFL-ready. He’s NFL ready.” The upcoming national championship semi-final game will have all eyes on JJ McCarthy who will be entering the 2024 NFL Draft. And he already has inviting landing prospects!

JJ McCarthy is ready to play in the NFL

On3’s Andy Staples dropped a Twitter post about the recent On3 YouTube episode on Michigan QB JJ McCarthy. In the video, viewers can see a lot of deliberation going on with the star NFL prospect when he is asked if he is ready to play in the NFL. After a brief moment of getting his thoughts together, the 20-year-old pours his answer in a well-curated statement highlighting his humility. “Yes, I do. But I feel like there’s so much more I could grow, so much more I could develop. So many more things that could prepare me to play better in the NFL. But I feel like I can play in the NFL right now.” 

JJ McCarthy finished this season with the second-highest completion rate with 74.2% just behind Bo Nix. He accounted for 2,630 yards and 19 touchdowns, throwing for 250+ yards in four separate games. As he prepares to face Nick Saban’s Alabama in the upcoming Rose Bowl, NFL teams are keeping an eye on him. 

JJ McCarthy prepares for the challenge ahead

As a valuable NFL QB prospect, the New Orleans Saints have already picked JJ McCarthy in their latest 2024 mock draft as a second-round pick after Taliese Fuaga. But for the Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year award winner, the only thing to focus on right now is the New Year’s Rose Bowl game. Alabama enters the Rose Bowl as one of the teams with the fewest yards allowed with 313.3 yards per game. 

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JJ McCarthy said of his upcoming challenge against Alabama, “Going up against a really good secondary… It’s going to be one of those games where we kind of have to feel it out the entire game. It’s going to be like a boxing match.” The semifinal games will kick off at 5 PM ET, where the winner will face the Sugar Bowl champion for the ultimate National Championship showdown.

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