UGA’s record faces challenge from Michigan

ANN ARBOR, MICH. — J. J. McCarthy is expected to be the first of many Michigan men drafted from its national championship team.

The Wolverines had a record 18 players at the combine, giving them a chance to be the first school with at least 16 prospects picked in one NFL draft.

“We definitely have a shot because we have some great players on the team — and we won the natty,” running back Blake Corum said. “We could break the record.”

Georgia’s 2022 national championship team set the standard since the draft went to seven rounds in 1994 with 15 players picked, including a record-tying five first-round selections, in April 2023.

McCarthy may be Michigan’s only player taken among the top 32 on Thursday in Detroit. Some expect him to be among the top five picks after teams have gotten to know him off the field.

“This process is so unique,” he said. “They put you through so many different loops and hoops.”

A handful of McCarthy’s teammates are projected to be picked in the second or third round Friday, while many more will follow in the fourth through seventh rounds.

Defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, linebacker Junior Colson, defensive back Mike Sainristil, receiver Roman Wilson and Corum are candidates to get drafted in the second round.

Offensive lineman Zak Zinter and defensive end Braiden McGregor may go in the next wave of maize and blue, perhaps getting picked in the fourth or fifth round.

Sixth- and seventh-round selections could include edge rusher Jaylen Harrell, receiver Cornelius Johnson, linebacker Michael Barrett, tight end AJ Barner and offensive linemen Trevor Keegan and LaDarius Henderson.

“It just goes to show how many dogs we’ve got on this team, and how many people are willing to play the role and humble themselves,” Jenkins said. “It’s special.”

The AP’s mock draft has McCarthy going at No. 8 overall. The Athletic listed 14 players from Michigan in a seven-round mock draft.

If those players are picked along with All-Big Ten center Drake Nugent, the Wolverines will tie the Bulldogs’ mark.

Three of Michigan’s prospects have fathers who played in the league.

Jenkins, whose dad has the same name, was a two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets. James Harrell was with the Detroit Lions and Terry Nugent played for Cleveland and Indianapolis.

A father figure of sorts, coach Jim Harbaugh will likely lobby the Los Angeles Chargers to draft some of his former players.

Harbaugh attended Michigan’s pro day last month. Although he may not be the most objective observer and already has a franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert, he said he was blown away by McCarthy’s performance.

“I’ve been to a lot of pro day workouts and watched quarterbacks throw. That was the best I’ve ever seen a quarterback do at a pro day,” Harbaugh said.