Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy unpacks NFL combine performance, first impression of Jim Harbaugh

Michigan football's J.J. McCarthy headed to Indianapolis for the NFL combine with one goal: ranking among the top three in the 2024 NFL Draft's quarterback unit.

The national champion did just that as he put together a strong showing in positional drills Saturday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium. He had the second-hardest throw at 61 mph, behind former Michigan and Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton.

Following his day on the field, McCarthy joined NFL Network's Rich Eisen and Daniel Jeremiah in the broadcast booth to discuss his day.

"So much fun," McCarthy said. "Obviously, personally, there's a lot of things that I would like to get back. The shuttles and a couple of throws here and there, but just had a great time being around the guys and the coaches. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

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McCarthy, one of 18 Wolverines invited to the 2024 combine, was one of a handful of quarterbacks who threw Saturday in front of scouts inside Lucas Oil Stadium. He showed off his deep ball and footwork in positional drills to wide receivers and told Jeremiah that it'd been a point of emphasis in his training for the NFL draft. He did not run a 40-yard dash Saturday.

"That's been a focus for me ever since I stepped into college," McCarthy said of his footwork. "Coach Harbaugh, that's working from the foundation up and that was something we harped on for a long."

What J.J. McCarthy said about Jim Harbaugh at 2024 NFL combine

McCarthy also was asked about his first impressions of Jim Harbaugh, his Michigan coach who was hired by the L.A. Chargers following the season.

"Just his obsessive love for the game. You really don't see that or feel that right away when you meet with coaches on the road and during the recruiting process," McCarthy said. "But he was just all about ball and you could tell right away he was a competitor. He's been there before and it was just somebody that I wanted to play for from the get-go."

As Michigan's starter the past two seasons, the 6-foot-3 quarterback was one of the nation's premier dual-threat quarterbacks. But considering the depth and balance the Wolverines displayed on offense, including with star running back Blake Corum, McCarthy didn't always have to win games with his arm. It's part of McCarthy's game that former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf referred to as the "most fascinating" part.

Eisen and Jeremiah asked McCarthy what he has told NFL teams in his informal meetings this week about this.

"Based off the system I was placed in being a pro-style system, we're not dropping back 50 times a game. So just naturally, it's not going to look like the same numbers as guys in the Pac-12 guys or the SEC," McCarthy said. "But at the end of the day, it's all about winning football games and that's all I cared about.

"And Coach (Sherrone) Moore had this smashmouth mentality. We obviously had two amazing running backs, an amazing offensive line every single time I was there and like you said before, we're getting 6, 7, 8 yards of pop so why wouldn't we keep doing what's working? Can't go broke when taking a profit and at the end of the day, this is another valuable lesson I learned on, you have to rely on the run game. You have to because it sets up everything else and it works for us. And I was very fortunate to be part of such a special."

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McCarthy said he met with 11 teams — Washington Commanders, New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants, Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks — this week in Indianapolis.

J.J. McCarthy NFL draft projections

McCarthy is projected as a first-round pick in April's draft. The Michigan QB is ranked the No. 27 prospect in the 2024 class, according to NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah, one of the only NFL draft analysts picking McCarthy in the top 10 in mock drafts. McCarthy is ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr's No. 4 ranked quarterback in this class.

Here's a look at where some NFL draft analysts have McCarthy going in their mock drafts:

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr (as of Feb. 28): No. 12 overall to the Denver Broncos

ESPN's Field Yates (as of Feb. 14): No. 12 overall to the Broncos

NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah (as of Feb. 20): No. 8 overall to the Falcons

USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (as of Feb. 28):No. 12 overall to the Broncos

CBS Sports' Josh Edwards (as of March 2): No. 11 overall to the Minnesota Vikings

The Athletic (as of Feb. 22): No. 9 overall to the Broncos (through a trade up)

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football QB J.J. McCarthy recalls Jim Harbaugh first impressions