Social media believes McCarthy ghosting NFL may affect his draft status.

JJ McCarthy (Image via IMAGO)

JJ McCarthy was one of the best quarterbacks during the 2023 college football season. The Michigan under center proved all the doubters wrong by leading Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines to the all-important CFP title after more than 25 years.

Despite winning the college football championship, many viewed McCarthy as not a high draft pick; rather, he was projected to be a second-round pick. However, as time passed, the dynamic has changed, and in the latest mock draft project, he might go as high as the fifth overall pick per ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.

Several franchises showed interest in the 21-year-old, asking him for private workout sessions. Teams such as the New York Giants and New England Patriots are among the favorites to land McCarthy.

However, there’s a catch. NFL insider Ian Rapoport shared a post that included all the players who accepted the league’s invitation for the 2024 Draft. Yet McCarthy’s name wasn’t on it.

Football fans speculate why JJ McCarthy’s name wasn’t on the initial NFL draft list.

The suspected top 10 picks all made their way onto the list. Wide receivers Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., Marvin Harrison Jr., and Rome Odunze, along with defensive lineman Laiatu Latu, linebacker Dallas Turner, and offensive tackle JC Latham, will be taking part in the draft.

 
JJ McCarthy (Image via IMAGO)
Among the quarterbacks who are ready to step into the NFL, only two were on the list: Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels. The potential first-round pick, JJ McCarthy, it seems, did not answer the NFL’s invitation and social media had enough fuel to go wild. Check out how X users reacted to this news:

There hasn’t been any news from McCarthy’s end, even though the draft is only 13 days away. This would make the potential teams sweat, but one individual is confident that McCarthy can make it big in the NFL.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic, who over the years released more than 400 scouting reports, appeared on FS1’s The Herd and told host Colin Cowherd that McCarthy can play ball. Brugler revealed that he primarily focused on the Big 10, and before Harbaugh and McCarthy came to Michigan, their great rivals, Ohio State, kept demolishing them each year.

When JJ came in, it just felt a little bit different. Like they had a QB that on 3rd down, 4th down could go make plays when they needed him to. When he was called upon, he went and made plays.