Michigan may have two games left in the 2023 football season, but draft gurus are already looking ahead to the 2024 NFL draft. Several contenders from this year’s Wolverines football team have a chance to get drafted in April. Jordan Reid of ESPN listed the top 50 prospects in the 2024 NFL draft, and one Michigan football player made the list. J.J. McCarthy, the lone Wolverine, finished at No. 33. Reid had this to say about McCarthy and his ranking.
McCarthy will be one of the draft’s most talked-about prospects. He has only had 25 or more passing attempts in 11 of his 26 career starts in a Michigan offence that relies on the run and employs play-action principles. Scouts are eager to see more. Outside of an uncharacteristically awful three-interception performance against Bowling Green earlier this year, McCarthy has shown ball placement, anticipation, and movement when given the opportunity to throw the ball. His 89.2 QBR and 74.2% completion percentage rank among the top three in the country.
McCarthy, as we all know, is only a junior and has the option to return to Ann Arbour for another season. The various elements to McCarthy making that decision have been discussed extensively. What will Michigan do in the College Football Playoff this season? What are Jim Harbaugh’s intentions? McCarthy received what kind of draft grade?
These are just a handful of the things that will be debated following the conclusion of Michigan’s season. But, for the time being, McCarthy may boost his draft ranking by leading the Wolverines to a landmark Rose Bowl victory over Alabama on Jan. 1. Other Wolverines ranked include: Reid went out the top contenders at each position after rating the top 50. There were several more Wolverines on the list. J.J. McCarthy (No. 5) at quarterback Blake Corum (Running Back No. 2) Zak Zinter (OG No. 2) G LB No. 5: Junior Colson
