Michigan’s standout quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, has set the sports world abuzz with his decision to enter the 2024 NFL Draft. Fresh from a triumphant undefeated national championship season, his recent Pro Day performance has catapulted his stock to new heights. Speculation is rife that McCarthy could potentially outshine his rivals, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels, for the coveted top quarterback positions in the draft.

Meanwhile, many argue that McCarthy benefited from Michigan’s strong offensive line and merely managed their games. However, a recent analysis proves that wrong. An analyst broke down his plays, showing off his sharp decision-making and aggressive style—exactly what NFL teams look for in a quarterback.

McCarthy’s “game manager” tag is an underrated asset

On a recent podcast, CBS Sports analyst Chris Trapasso discussed McCarthy’s gameplay during his 2023 season. He also praised the quarterback’s playing style: “There’s one thing I love about J.J. McCarthy’s game manager label,” Trapasso said. He added, “I like for a game manager, so to speak, that you don’t have to ask him to be aggressive in the NFL.” 

Typically, a “game manager” means being passive or timid. It’s the opposite with McCarthy – he’s aggressive and decisive, which is perfect for the NFL. Trapasso pointed this out, saying McCarthy’s approach is like, “Hey, I see Justin Jefferson deep on that post corner. I’m gonna try to make that throw.” So he went on to add, “Even though he [McCarthy] has that game manager label I like that he’s on the aggressive side of that label.” He has the decision-making skills of a “game manager” with a resume filled with victories. 

J.J. McCarthy’s winning formula makes him a desirable prospect

Undoubtedly, J.J. McCarthy is the best quarterback in the Michigan program’s history. As a freshman, he initially backed up Cade McNamara, showing his skills in rushing plays. After McNamara struggled, McCarthy took over. Then came his winning streak, and he never looked back.

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Though Michigan favors a run-heavy approach, McCarthy still showed his passing skills with five games of 20-plus completions. His 27-1 college record further proves his high school dominance. He led Michigan to a perfect 15-0 season and a national championship. He also crushed their rivals, Ohio State, three times in a row. Beyond the victories, he has incredible speed and athleticism and can make any throw look easy. His recent 60-yard dash at Pro Day only confirmed his potential at the deep end. Thus, analysts like Chris are increasingly impressed, predicting his high draft selection. Whichever team picks him will likely be thrilled to become Champions, and McCarthy could easily be a top-three pick.

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