Jim Harbaugh weighs in on NFL conversation with J.J. McCarthy
The Michigan Wolverines have made their way to California for the Rose Bowl showdown with the Alabama Crimson Tide with select members of the program meeting with the media during a welcome event at Disneyland on Wednesday afternoon. Chief among the attendees was head coach Jim Harbaugh in his first media appearance since Dec. 3.
Among the topics discussed included what his feedback has been to junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy on his impending NFL Draft decision. Last week, McCarthy told the media that Harbaugh opened the door for a conversation, but that the third-year signal-caller preferred to keep his focus on the task at hand.
“He actually brought it up and asked if I wanted to talk about it in the week off, and I told him, ‘I’m only focused on ‘Bama, Coach, and he loved it,” McCarthy said last week. “He was fired up.”
Wednesday at Disneyland, Harbaugh told the media that he believed his quarterback is ready for the pros, but appreciated the one-track mindset.
“Oh yeah, I think he’s NFL-ready,” Harbaugh said. “He said wanted to just wait, play the [Rose Bowl] game with single track mind, one track mind. I love it. Let’s keep doing that because that’s what’s got us here.”
“We’ll just stay in the here and now. See if we can’t dominate this day. But yeah, I can’t lie and say I don’t think he’s NFL-ready. I very much think he’s NFL-ready.”
McCarthy threw for 2,483 yards with 19 touchdowns and 4 interceptions during the regular season, completing 74.3% of his passes at 9.7 yards per attempt and holds a 24-1 record as a starter at Michigan. He said during bowl prep that he has not yet decided on his future.
“No, I have not at all,” McCarthy said. “I’m completely in the present moment. Soaking in every single day. Enjoying every single practice. Every single meeting with my guys. Only God knows that question. So we’ll know by the end of the season.”
Pro Football Focus currently has McCarthy ranked as the 8th-best draft-eligible quarterback in the class. Several NFL evaluators have said that he could be a potential first-round selection, though. Michigan has not had a quarterback drafted since Jake Rudock was selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Michigan and Alabama’s matchup in the Rose Bowl is set for Jan. 1 at 5 p.m. ET from Pasadena, California with the Wolverines set as a 1.5-point favorite. The winner will head to Houston on Jan. 8 to play in the College Football Playoff national title game against either Texas or Washington, who play in the Sugar Bowl at 8:45 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Both games will be broadcast via ESPN.
