Paul Finebaum shares title game impact on J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr's NFL Draft stock

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and Michigan QB JJ McCarthy weren’t at their best during Monday night’s national championship game.

Penix finished with 255 passing yards and one touchdown, with two interceptions on 51 attempts. Meanwhile McCarthy threw for only 140 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Paul Finebaum appeared on SportsCenter Tuesday afternoon and shared how those performances might impact the NFL draft stock of both quarterbacks, starting with Michael Penix Jr.

“I think he’ll be fine,” Finebaum said. “I know you may think I’m in a very liberal grading mood today on the final day of the season, but I think even with last night, and he certainly didn’t help himself last night, but I think once you get to the all-star games and the combine he’ll make up for that.”

While Penix struggled against the Wolverines, there’s no denying that he had an incredible season.

The senior finished the season with 4,903 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, with 11 interceptions. He also rushed for three scores.

As for JJ McCarthy, Finebaum believes it would be in the best interest for the Michigan QB to return to school. However, no matter what decision McCarthy makes, Finebaum believes he can be successful at the next level.

“I think he would be finer if he stayed at Michigan, but I don’t think he’s going to and he’ll still be fine,” Finebaum said. “I think he’s a projected first round pick. He’ll be at the bottom of it. But I think he’s done enough to impress almost everyone.”

Paul Finebaum explains why Michigan’s 2023 national championship was remarkable

ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum was critical of Michigan and Jim Harbaugh at times during the 2023 season. It’s safe to say he has had a change of heart.

Finebaum appeared on SportsCenter Tuesday afternoon and had high praise for Michigan’s run to the 2023 national championship, calling it one of the most impressive he has ever seen.

“I think it was one of the most remarkable and difficult routes to a national championship I have ever seen,” Paul Finebaum said. “Sometimes you’re preordained. And I realize Michigan was a preseason top 2 or 3 pick, but the road they took is unlike any we have ever seen.”

Jim Harbaugh was suspended to start the regular season and to end the regular season, but the Wolverines continued to pile up wins without him.

They then beat Ohio State to close out the regular season, before topping Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game, Alabama in the Rose Bowl and Washington in the national title game to win it all.

“First of all, they had to deal with Coach Prime in the first couple of weeks. He sucked all the oxygen out. And then Jim Harbaugh sucked all the oxygen out,” Finebaum said. “And nobody would have ever believed him holding up the trophy at the end and really being universally applauded, because there was so much doubt along the way.”