Question Marks Surround Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy

Michigan quarterback (QB) J.J. McCarthy is a lot of things on game film, but do all of those things translate to a future in the National Football League?

There’s a small chance that it could happen.

Why only a small chance?

The number one question I ask myself when evaluating college prospects is, “Does what I’m watching translate to success in the NFL?”

The answer to that question right now with McCarthy is no.

Why?

Footwork is a train wreck

It used to be called “Happy Feet.”

Back in the day, this was an expression used to describe QBs who bounced around all over the place in the pocket and couldn’t set their feet before throwing.

The game has evolved and what was looked at as a huge negative back then, is now the vogue thing to do.

If you’ve seen one college QB, you’ve pretty much seen them all.

They’re all trying to do this (Chiefs QB) Patrick Mahomes thing.

That’s all fine and dandy, assuming the downfield accuracy goes hand-in-hand with all the dancing around.

With McCarthy it doesn’t.

McCarthy defines “happy feet,” and the result was his ball placement was all over the road last season.

If it’s an issue at the college level, it will be an issue at the NFL level, where the game is only faster and more complex.

However, there is hope.

Purdue game

McCarthy showed signs against the Boilermakers that he could drop back and set his feet before throwing more often than the other four games studied.

The result?

Better ball placement.

The concern – –he then reverted back to not doing it.

It appears Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh (who McCarthy reminds me of back when Harbaugh was an NFL QB) may be trying to correct McCarthy’s footwork, but it doesn’t come naturally.

The “Happy Feet” or “Playground Drop,” (which is a new scouting term I’ve coined to describe the next generation of college QBs trying to be Mahomes) are McCarthy’s natural default, which is reflected by his grade.

To have any chance whatsoever in the NFL, McCarthy is going to have to learn how to set his feet before he throws because he can’t do what Mahomes does.

He doesn’t have good enough touch.

Does McCarthy put it all together and set his feet consistently before throwing in 2023?

If he does, I could see his draft stock ascending.

There are things to like on game film

McCarthy is an athletic and fast runner (4.4 yard avg.) who doesn’t get sacked much.

He also protects the football (which is huge in the NFL). Opposing defenses only got their hands on his passes nine times in these five games, which is a better ratio than any other QB I’ve looked at so far in this upcoming draft class.

This Michigan QB brings a lot of energy to the position, and he makes some really nice throws with pressure right in his face.

Don’t be shocked if McCarthy ends up on the Ravens where Harbaugh’s brother is the head coach.

#9 J.J. McCarthy 6-foot-3, 196 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Spring 2023 Grade: Sixth-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 17.4% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of May 19, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: Ohio State, Penn State, Maryland, Purdue, and Iowa (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 208/322 (64.4%), 2719 yards, 22 TD, 5 INT, 12 sacks, long-75

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Athletic hyper-energetic competitive dual-threat with a mixed bag of accuracy. Unorthodox. Leads with an upbeat tempo. Hyper active setting up. Tends to hold the ball looking for an open receiver. Works best in moving pocket. Looks good rolling out to his right. Strong enough arm, but lacks traditional mechanics. Pats the ball pre-delivery. Locks in with receivers. Passes tend to sail high or overthrows. Legit tough productive runner.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. Does he settle down in the pocket?

2. Setting his feet before throwing?

3. Going through progressions or locking in with receivers?

4. Does roll to his left with accuracy?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.