Scouting Report: J.J. McCarthy (QB) - Michigan
Sales Pitch: “Athletic QB with NFL level physical traits who has 26 starts of experience at the highest level of college football. Raw with inconsistent play but displays flashes of starter traits.”
Athletic Profile
Height: 6’ 2 1/2”
Weight: 219 lbs
Age: 21
Arm Length: 31 5/8”
Hand Size: 9”
40 Yard Dash: N/A
10 Yard Split: N/A
Vertical: N/A
Broad Jump: N/A
Short Shuttle: 4.23
3-Cone: 6.82
Relative Athletic Score: N/A
Statistics
Career: 68.1% - 5,865 YDS - 8.8 YPA - 46 TD - 11 INT - 161.3 RTG
2023: 74.2% - 2,630 YDS - 9.2 YPA - 19 TD - 4 INT - 170.3 RTG
Strengths
NFL frame with room to add weight
Solid athletic ability with good balance and play speed
Multiyear starter who displays physical and mental toughness on the biggest stage
26 starts of experience at only 20 years old
Accurate thrower on primary reads and while on the move
Shows poise late in games and when blitzed
Protects the ball as a thrower both in and out of structure
Plus arm that can drive the ball into tight windows
Athletic ability to be a threat with his legs on designed plays and as a scrambler
Weaknesses
Lean frame with below average play strength
Was not asked to make checks or protections calls pre snap in college
Inconsistent play week to week. Showed flashes of NFL level QB play but never put it all together'
Average ball placement when throwing outside the numbers or in between the hashes 10+ yards down the field
Below average anticipation as a thrower
Slow to work through reads, rarely gets through full progressions
Eyes get stuck on primary read leading to too many tipped passes
Drops eyes and looks at rush when initial read is covered
Edge pressure causes his footwork to become erratic and he looks to run
Inability to navigate muddy pockets with his eyes up as a passer
One pitch thrower that fails to show touch down the field and on layered throws
Front side of body will open up when he is late and cause ball to sail
Summary
J.J. McCarthy is an experienced quarterback, who at the age of 21, has shown the ability to make plays on the biggest stage of college football. With 26 starts under his belt he shows poise as well as both physical and mental toughness when the lights are bright. McCarthy has NFL level physical traits with good height at 6’ 3”, to go with plus arm talent and above average athleticism. He displays the ability to make plays with his legs as a designed runner and scrambler. McCarthy is still a very raw QB, while he showed flashes of NFL level play in college it never consistently came together. Michigan largely kept the training wheels on their offense and McCarthy typically only had to go through his initial reads before being told to tuck and run. He wasn’t often asked or showed the ability to quickly work through full field reads. McCarthy shows below level anticipation and processing skills as a pocket passer. When combined with inconsistent accuracy to all three levels and an inability to navigate muddy pockets he remains an unrefined passer at this point. McCarthy projects best in an NFL offense that will simplify his reads and move the pocket for him to take advantage of his athletic ability and accuracy on the run. Teams that operate an offense with a heavy dose of quick game, under center play action and designed QB runs would be ideal. A young player with tools and room for growth, he projects as a potential starter some day, but needs a little bit of NFL seasoning first. McCarthy shouldn't be asked to start day one, instead being able to sit for a season or two to develop as a processor and clean up some mechanics is the best case for him to have a successful career.