INDIANAPOLIS — Michigan’s JJ McCarthy has thrown more passes, completed more passes and even scored far more touchdowns than any other top quarterback in this year’s NFL Draft. I know it’s possible.
But McCarthy said he will take one statistic that he thinks will influence him.
“Statistics don’t really matter to me. All I really cared about was being the best teammate and being the best quarterback,” McCarthy said Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine. Told. . “And the only stat I cared about was the W, and we did pretty well in that category.”
McCarthy had 654 pass attempts in two years as a starter in the Wolverines’ run-heavy offense and 713 pass attempts in his collegiate career. By comparison, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. has recorded at least 550 attempts in each of the past two seasons, Caleb Williams of the University of Southern California has had a season with 500 attempts, and North Carolina’s Drake Maye has made 500 attempts in a season, and had 425 attempts last season.
But McCarthy, the No. 23 player on Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest big board, has started 28 career games, including a win over Washington in the national championship game in January, leading the Wolverines to 27 wins. lead. This was the highest winning percentage for a starting pitcher in the past 50 years.
McCarthy will not participate in the long jump or vertical jump during on-field training for quarterbacks at the combine on Saturday due to what he called a “hamstring strain,” but said he plans to throw. .
McCarthy said they played most of the teams in the second half of the first round. When asked about specific teams, a thoughtful McCarthy recounted specific interactions with coaches, calling each meeting “awesome.”
He has the combination of size (6-foot-3, 202 pounds) and mobility teams are looking for. McCarthy totaled 508 yards and eight rushing touchdowns in his two years as a starter. McCarthy also led the Big Ten last season with a 72.3 completion percentage and threw just four interceptions.
Asked for a scouting report about himself, McCarthy said Friday: “He’s a tough, gritty guy who at the end of the day only cares about winning. He loves the game of football with a burning passion and is passionate about his team. I love my mate and it’s pretty much everything anyone could want.” starting quarterback. ”