Jim Harbaugh advised J.J. McCarthy to leave for NFL draft

Former Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh advised quarterback J.J. McCarthy to enter the NFL draft.

It’s an important week for former Michigan football quarterback J.J. McCarthy. He’s taking part in the NFL draft combine to improve his draft stock.

Most NFL draft experts have McCarthy going in the top 10 of the draft or at least in the first round. His stock has been on the rise and the combine should only improve it further.

It was reported that McCarthy won’t run the 40-yard dash at the combine due to hamstring tightness. He also dealt with a hamstring injury during the 2023 season. McCarthy is still going to throw at the combine and talking to reporters on Friday, he revealed the advice Jim Harbaugh gave him regarding his draft decision.

JJ McCarthy said Jim Harbaugh encouraged him to declare for draft:

‘I want you to go because of your draft stock. It could get higher, but not that much higher. And it's just an opportunity you don't want to pass up.’

More: https://t.co/oNG3p74Xm1

— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) March 1, 2024

“I want you to go because of your draft stock. It could get higher, but not that much higher. And it’s just an opportunity you don’t want to pass up,” McCarthy said.

Even though McCarthy won’t run this week, he will throw and he’s going to move up draft boards. He’s already met with a bunch of NFL teams such as the Patriots, Raiders, Broncos, and Bucs. He has also met with the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks.

Ohio State fans might not want to admit it, but McCarthy is going to be a top-10 pick. Jim Harbaugh predicted he would go No. 1 and while that remains to be seen, the Michigan football legend won’t have to wait long on NFL draft night to hear his name called.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at [email protected]. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!