Jim Harbaugh shares unfiltered thoughts on QB J.J. McCarthy’s future with Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings traded up to select J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday, setting off a string of reactions on the ex-Michigan Wolverines quarterback’s new fit.
His coach in Ann Arbor, Jim Harbaugh, previously called McCarthy “the best quarterback in the draft.” Now the signal-caller is headed for a rookie QB’s dream scenario in the Twin Cities.
On Friday, now-Los Angeles Chargers HC Harbaugh’s reaction to McCarthy’s selection went viral on X as Harbaugh described his “love” for the Wolverines’ national championship-winning quarterback.
Harbaugh said he “love(s) McCarthy like a son” while sharing his feelings of excitement for the La Grange Park, Illinois native, who was drafted to the team he most wanted to play for at the next level.
McCarthy also got a shout-out from current Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore, who reiterated that the Vikings were McCarthy’s dream destination.
“It’s been a long process to see it happen but I knew that’s where he wanted to go,” Moore said on “The Rich Eisen Show” Friday.
Eisen asked Moore how he knew Minnesota was McCarthy’s preferred destination.
Moore also shared a story on one of the games that was previously used to discredit McCarthy’s success at Michigan – a 24-15 victory over Penn State in Happy Valley. The Wolverines ran the ball 32 straight times in that contest, taking the ball out of their star quarterback’s hands.
The Michigan coach (who for a stretch took over for Harbaugh during a suspension) said McCarthy asked him the next day, “Do you not believe in me?” to which Moore responded.
“He asked me that question and I said, ‘No,’ I just felt like that’s what we needed to do to win at that time,” Moore said.
“I’ve always believed in JJ, in every sense of the word,” he added.