The 2024 NFL Draft is quickly approaching and as usual, a number of top quarterback prospects are expected to be selected at the top of the board. But one NFL coach seems to believe that one quarterback prospect stands above the rest. And it may not quite be who you would think.
The Los Angeles Chargers led by former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh will almost certainly not be looking to select a quarterback near the top of the draft with Justin Herbert at the helm.
But when it comes to the quarterback position, Harbaugh still has a pretty definitive take on who the best of the bunch is in this upcoming draft class.
The large majority of draft experts view USC product Caleb Williams as the top quarterback prospect in the class. But Harbaugh instead views his former player, Michigan product J.J. McCarthy as the top player at his position in the 2024 draft class.
“I’ve said it before, and I think it’s well documented: I think he’s the best quarterback in the draft,” Harbaugh told reporters on Monday. “That’s just what I think. It’s my opinion. He’s the one who plays quarterback [the best]. Of all the quarterbacks that are in the draft – there are great quarterbacks in the draft – but I think he plays quarterback the best of any quarterback in the draft.”
He then took things a step even further, saying that McCarthy’s Pro Day last week was “the best he has ever seen”.
“That was the best throwing day I’ve ever seen,” Harbaugh added. “Like I predicted, once they were around him, I was hearing the stories about how he is on the board, how he is on the field, the little things, the intangibles. I mean, it was absolutely no surprise whatsoever. But yeah, there was raving, and it was great to hear.”
Jim Harbaugh waxing poetic on J.J. McCarthy and his Pro Day. “Literally, it was the best I’ve ever seen.” A certain reporter listened with pride (I’m the reporter). pic.twitter.com/mSQTMvKJYw
— Tracy Sandler (@TracyFGSN) March 25, 2024
Given his relationship with McCarthy over the years at Michigan, it’s not exactly a shock to hear all the praise Harbaugh has for him.
That being said, Harbaugh doesn’t owe McCarthy anything anymore. He is now an NFL coach again on a team that will not be selecting McCarthy in the draft. So it certainly does hold some weight that he is so high on his former player.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.