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Wolverines in the NFL: Big hits, crazy picks and J.J. McCarthy 'has that dog in him'

clayton-sayfieby: Clayton Sayfie16 hours agoCSayf23
J.J. McCarthy
Former Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy accounted for 3 touchdowns in his NFL debut for the Minnesota Vikings vs. the Chicago Bears. (Photo by Matt Marton-Imagn Images)

Once upon a time, four-year-old former Michigan Wolverines football quarterback J.J McCarthy attended a Bears-Vikings game wearing a Chicago linebacker Brian Urlacher jersey. Eighteen years later, the 22-year-old made his first career start in the NFL at the same stadium, Soldier Field, but for the other team.

The Minnesota Vikings’ No. 10 overall draft pick last season McCarthy got off to a slow start in his first-ever regular-season appearance, with the offense not picking up a first down until there was less than a minute remaining in the opening quarter. He threw a pick-six in the third quarter, and all indications were that it wouldn’t be the Vikings’ night.

But in the huddle on the next drive, McCarthy looked his teammates in the eye and asked, “Is there any place you guys would rather be?”

McCarthy and the Vikings pressed on, and put together a magical fourth quarter. The former Michigan signal-caller went 6-of-8 passing and put up 101 total yards and 3 touchdowns (2 passing, 1 rushing) to lead a comeback victory.

The Vikings trailed 17-6 at the end of the third quarter, and McCarthy became the first NFL player to lead a 10-plus point fourth-quarter comeback in his debut since Steve Young in 1985. He’s the first to do so on the road since 1950. He’s also the first quarterback in league history to account for 3 touchdowns in his debut.

The belief was high from McCarthy, but also his teammates and coaches, and their excitement for the plays he made late in the game showed as they celebrated. Head man Kevin O’Connell was ecstatic as McCarthy rushed for a 14-yard score to go up 27-17 with just under three minutes to go in the 27-24 victory.

“I told him at halftime: ‘You are going to bring us back to win this game, and the look in his eye was fantastic,’” O’Connell said. “And the best thing was just the belief I felt from that team, and ultimately, that doesn’t get done without him in the second half, two passing touchdowns and a critical rushing touchdown.”

McCarthy proved quite a bit to the NFL community, but the Vikings knew what he was capable of.

“I already knew what J.J. was about,” said star wide receiver Justin Jefferson. “This was all about showing the world. We knew him coming in from Michigan, being a national champion, we knew he had that dog in him. And really today, seeing his composure, seeing his grit, seeing him lead the team — even when we were down — it goes a long way.”

Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in week one:

AJ Barner (2023), TE, Seattle Seahawks

Caught 1 pass for no gain and rushed once for 2 yards in a 17-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OG, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The former Michigan offensive lineman started at center and posted a 71.6 overall PFF grade — the highest by any player on the Bucs’ offense — in a 23-20 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Cleveland Browns

Broke up a pass and recorded 7 tackles, including 1 for loss, in a 17-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB, Seattle Seahawks

Logged 12 rushes for 47 yards and a touchdown in a 17-13 setback to the San Francisco 49ers.

Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans

Hauled in 3 catches for 25 yards in a 14-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Blake Corum (2020-23), RB, Los Angeles Rams

Registered 2 yards on 1 rush and 14 yards on 1 catch in a 14-9 win over the Houston Texans.

Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs

The former Michigan and CMU standout recorded 2 tackles, including 1 for loss, in a 27-21 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil.

Rashan Gary (2016-18), DL, Green Bay Packers

Exploded for 7 tackles, including 1 for loss, and 1.5 sacks with a team-high 5 pressures in a 27-13 win over the Detroit Lions.

Graham Glasgow (2012-15), OL, Detroit Lions

The former Michigan lineman opened a 27-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers at center, posting a 43.6 overall PFF rating that ranked dead last on his team’s offense. He graded out at a team-worst 34.4 in run blocking and allowed 2 pressures in pass protection.

Mason Graham (2022-24), DT, Cleveland Browns

Made 3 tackles in a 17-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals … Added 1 pressure in pass rush.

Kenneth Grant (2022-24), DT, Miami Dolphins

Made 4 tackles in a 33-8 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, adding 1 pressure.

Jaylen Harrell (2020-23), OLB, Tennessee Titans

Totaled 3 tackles in a 20-12 loss to the Denver Broncos.

Hassan Haskins (2018-21), RB, Los Angeles Chargers

Returned 3 kicks for 67 yards, played 15 snaps on special teams and was in on 1 play on offense in a 27-21 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Dax Hill (2019-21), CB, Cincinnati Bengals

Started and made 9 tackles in a 17-16 win over the Cleveland Browns … His 77.8 PFF coverage rating led the team … He was targeted 7 times, allowing 6 catches for only 32 yards.

James Hudson III (2017-18), OT, New York Giants

Started at left tackle and registered a 55.0 overall PFF rating in a 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders.

Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DL, Detroit Lions

The former Michigan captain record any tackles or sacks but posted a team-high 2 pressures in a 27-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Kris Jenkins (2020-23), DT, Cincinnati Bengals

Registered 2 tackles in a 17-16 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Will Johnson (2022-24), CB, Arizona Cardinals

Broke up 3 passes and made 1 tackle in his rookie debut … His 90.3 PFF coverage grade ranked second among NFL cornerbacks in week one … Targeted 7 times in coverage, giving up 4 catches for 32 yards with a 13-yard long … The Cardinals beat the New Orleans Saints, 20-13.

Trevor Keegan (2019-23), OG, Dallas Cowboys

The former Michigan offensive lineman was claimed off waivers by the Cowboys after being let go by division rival Philadelphia … Did not play in week one.

Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Corralled a one-handed interception, broke up 3 passes, made 5 tackles and laid 1 hit on the quarterback in a 26-10 win over the Carolina Panthers.

Colston Loveland (2022-24), TE, Chicago Bears

Reeled in 2 catches for 12 yards in a 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings Monday night.

J.J. McCarthy (2021-23), QB, Minnesota Vikings

Connected on 13 of his 20 passes for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns with an interception that was returned for a touchdown in his regular-season debut, a 27-24 win over the Chicago Bears in his hometown … All 3 scores he accounted for came in the fourth quarter of the comeback win.

Braiden McGregor (2020-23), EDGE, New York Jets

Inactive for week one with an injury.

Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts

The former Michigan linebacker had 1 tackle in a 33-8 win over the Miami Dolphins.

Joshua Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings

Registered 6 tackles in a 27-24 win over the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.

Joe Milton III (2018-20), QB, Dallas Cowboys

Did not play in the opener.

Jake Moody (2018-22), K, San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers are waiving the former Michigan kicker after he went 1-of-3 on field goals in a 17-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

Mike Morris (2019-22), DE, Seattle Seahawks

Saw action on 3 defensive snaps and 13 special teams plays in a 17-13 setback to the San Francisco 49ers.

Kalel Mullings (2020-24), RB, Tennessee Titans

Saw action on special teams in a 20-12 loss to the Denver Broncos.

David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens

Didn’t play in a 41-40 loss to the Buffalo Bills Sunday night.

Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks

A backup for Seattle, he did not see action in game one.

Mike Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots

Started at right guard and generated a 59.2 overall PFF grade with 3 pressures allowed in pass protection during a 20-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Kwity Paye (2017-20), DE, Indianapolis Colts

Had 1 tackle for loss in a 33-8 win over the Miami Dolphins.

Jabrill Pappers (2014-16), S, Pittsburgh Steelers

This week, the Steelers agreed to terms with Peppers, who was recently cut by the Patriots in a surprise move. Peppers has two years remaining on what was initially a three-year, $24 million contract.

Brad Robbins (2017-22), P, Buffalo Bills

Punted 4 times with a 39.5-yard average, pinning the Baltimore Ravens inside the 20-yard line once, in a 41-40 win … He was waived after the game and will look for a new team if he doesn’t get claimed off the wire.

Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), C/G, New Orleans Saints

Started at right guard in a 20-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, generating a 36.5 overall PFF rating with no pressures or sacks allowed.

Jon Runyan (2016-19), OG, New York Giants

Started at left guard and posted a 63.5 overall PFF rating with 3 pressures allowed in a 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders.

Mike Sainristil (2019-23), CB, Washington Commanders

The former Michigan wide receiver and defensive back made 2 tackles in a 21-6 win over the New York Giants … Targeted twice in coverage, giving up 1 catch for 4 yards.

Luke Schoonmaker (2018-22), TE, Dallas Cowboys

Targeted once but didn’t have any caches in a 24-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday night.

Mazi Smith (2019-22), DT, Dallas Cowboys

Did not play in week one.

Benjamin St-Juste (2017-18), CB, Los Angeles Chargers

The former Michigan and Minnesota cornerback had 2 tackles in a 27-21 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Josaiah Stewart (2023-24), OLB, Los Angeles Rams

Logged 15 defensive snaps but didn’t record any stats in a 14-9 win over the Houston Texans.

DJ Turner II (2019-22), CB, Cincinnati Bengals

Notched the game-sealing interception with 1:24 remaining in a 17-16 win over the Cleveland Browns … That was his first career pick … Added 2 tackles.

Joshua Uche (2016-19), OLB, Philadelphia Eagles

Recorded 1 tackle in a 24-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys, adding 4 pressures … His 93.9 overall PFF rating was the highest by any defender in the league in week one.

Ben VanSumeren (2018-20), FB, Philadelphia Eagles

Carted off the field after tearing his patellar tendon on the opening kickoff of the NFL season Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys … Is out for the season and has been placed on injured reserve, according to reports.

William Wagner (2019-24), LS, Cincinnati Bengals

Snapped 9 times and made a tackle in a 17-16 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Josh Wallace (2023), CB, Los Angeles Rams

Tallied 10 special teams snaps in a 14-9 triumph over the Houston Texans.

Roman Wilson (2020-23), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Started, played only 10 offensive snaps and didn’t get targeted in a 34-32 win over the New York Jets.

Zak Zinter (2020-23), OG, Cleveland Browns

Inactive and did not play in the opener.