Michigan’s rising star J.J. McCarthy has captured the NFL’s attention with his pinpoint accuracy. While some “Go Blue” fans hail Tom Brady as the undisputed GOAT due to his legendary career, a new wave of McCarthy supporters has emerged now. Even the legendary Brady acknowledged the hype with a touch of pride. 

More than just a gifted quarterback, McCarthy thrives well under pressure. Quarterbacks need a strong arm throw, and mobility to avoid getting sacked. But what gets overlooked a lot is their mental strength to make the right calls every time. Their decisions can single-handedly lift or sink a team’s fortunes. That’s where McCarthy acts as a “Pressure Cooker” according to SCOUTD. But the young quarterback’s NFL journey has just begun and he has the potential to further impress Tom Brady by making it big in the NFL.

Can J.J. McCarthy make Tom Brady proud again?

After leading the Michigan Wolverines to a thrilling Rose Bowl win, coach Jim Harbaugh declared McCarthy as the best-ever QB. Even Tom Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion and former Wolverine himself, seemed to agree. Brady responded to it with an enthusiastic “Go Blue!!! No doubt!!!” on Instagram. However, McCarthy’s NFL draft prospects are quite mixed. Some see him as a top-10 pick, while others have doubts. Yet, his college performance can’t be overlooked, prompting SCOUTD to post a new thread on why McCarthy is ascending the draft boards.

In the recent NFL Combine, McCarthy skipped the 40-yard dash and jumps due to a tight hamstring. With his massive 6’2″ and 219 pounds physique and his 9-inch hands, his talent goes beyond passing. He throws confidently into tight windows and uses his vision and rushing ability to create a versatile RPO offense, making defenses scramble. But his most impressive trait is his performance under pressure. He has the intelligence, maturity, and drive just as much as physical skills. McCarthy displayed all of these qualities in the recent Rose Bowl along with exceptional leadership. With this skill set, he has the potential to impress a legend like Tom Brady once again.

Another GOAT quarterback in the making

McCarthy has impressed the NFL world, but he still has areas for improvement. He needs to maintain consistent accuracy, develop a stronger deep ball, and speed up his reads in the pocket. However, these can be honed with experience.

Read More: 2024 NFL Draft: J.J. McCarthy’s Landing Challenges

Despite few pros and cons, McCarthy has put together a college career that surpasses even Tom Brady’s time at Michigan. While Brady boasts legendary NFL achievements, his college stats pale in comparison. In just his second year as a starter, McCarthy boasts a completion percentage over 73%, nearly 3,000 yards passing, and 22 touchdowns, showcasing both accuracy and mobility with an additional three rushing scores.

But Brady’s best year in the NFL saw him complete 61% of his passes with fewer yards and touchdowns than McCarthy’s average season. Thus, with more time to develop, the young quarterback has the potential to become a legend, perhaps even eclipsing Brady’s legacy. Could another GOAT be emerging from Ann Arbor? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

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