QB McCarthy accomplishes what he planned at Michigan’s Pro Day
Former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy had what was reported as a nearly half-hour session in front of NFL scouts at Michigan’s Pro Day on Friday and later said he accomplished what he had planned.
McCarthy was 27-1 for the Wolverines and helped lead them to a 15-0 record and a national championship in 2023. He is projected as a first-round NFL Draft choice with most analysts suggesting the Minnesota Vikings is a likely landing spot for McCarthy with the No. 11 overall pick.
“I wanted to put on display touch throws over the middle like on the move and setting up with little space in the pocket because in the NFL, there isn’t as much space to mark,” McCarthy told reporters on Friday.
Kirk Campbell, now Michigan’s offensive coordinator and entering his second season coaching the quarterbacks, said last week he has received a number of calls from NFL teams asking about McCarthy. His message has been direct and simple.
“There’s not a can’t-miss with the guy,” Campbell said. “If you don’t draft him,
you’re missing out. I’ve told all of them the same thing. Just love that kid.”
With the NFL Draft in Detroit on April 25-27, McCarthy sees that as “divine intervention.”
“That’s the only thing I could think of,” McCarthy said. “All the stars are aligning. Everything about my whole process getting here, the journey we went through together as a team, and 18 guys going to the Combine, and just ending it the way we ended it, and then with the cherry on top, with the Draft in Detroit, it’s just amazing.”
Zinter making progress
Zak Zinter, Michigan’s consensus All-American right guard, continues to
work on his leg strength since suffering a broken tibia and fibula in the third quarter against Ohio State in the final regular-season game last November, but has been cleared to do everything. He said he’s “90% healed” and is in no pain.
Still, he didn’t feel he was at the level he wanted to perform before NFL coaches and scouts on Friday. In a couple weeks, Zinter said he plans to send a video of himself working out to teams. On a conference call with reporters this week, ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper said Zinter could be a “second-, third-round” pick. Kiper rates him as the second-best guard in the draft.
Zinter was asked what he wants teams to know about him.
“My tape shows for itself,” Zinter said. “Started as a freshman, knowledge of the game, personality, good guy. Watching film with (scouts) being able to show them I’m a smart guy too.”
Pass-catching Corum
Corum told reporters after Pro Day that he put on display to NFL scouts and coaches everything he needed to show. They already know he has Michigan’s career and single-season records for rushing touchdowns, but line him up in the slot, and he can catch, too.
At the NFL Combine, McCarthy said Corum planned to run some routes from the slot at Pro Day, and that’s exactly what happened.
“That’s why I wanted to do it,” Corum said. “I didn’t do it here while I was at Michigan, but I’ve been capable of doing it my whole career.
“Just wanted to show them I’m capable, I’m versatile, I can pass-pro, I can run, and I can line up at slot, track a ball. I’m happy with how today went. Now, sit back and wait to hear my name called.”