The lead-up to the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft has featured its fair share of bold takes on some of the top draft prospects. And former college coach turned Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh only added to that with some incredibly bold praise about one of his former players.
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy has quickly been rising up draft boards this offseason, in part due to his very impressive natural athleticism that was shown off during Michigan’s Pro Day last week.
Harbaugh took things a step further, calling McCarthy’s Pro Day “the best he has ever seen” from any quarterback prospect ever.
“That was the best throwing day I’ve ever seen,” Harbaugh told reporters on Monday. “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
McCarthy of course did perform quite well, which has led to all of the hype currently surrounding him. But saying that his performance was the best of any player ever is quite the take.
Naturally, there was some pushback from fans on social media.
Which is easier – to be the best at something, or to befriend Jim Harbaugh? Because as soon as you have Coach on your side, you suddenly become the best there ever was 😂
— Stuart Wexler (@jomolungma) March 25, 2024
Get you someone who talks about you like Jim talks about JJ
— Stadium (@Stadium) March 25, 2024
Clearly, Harbaugh has only ever seen Pro Day performsnces by his own Michigan QB’s.
He’s telling the literal truth.
— Jeff McCulley (@IAmJeffMcCulley) March 25, 2024
Does this guy ever tell the truth?
— Go Bucks (@JustC4S) March 25, 2024
I wonder why they were so reluctant to pass the ball with the greatest QB of all time under center?
— Minnesota Take-Kings (@MNTake_Kings) March 25, 2024
Say what you will about Harbaugh. But he is very clearly willing to put his own reputation on the line for McCarthy as a draft prospect, which is at least commendable.
His praise for McCarthy has been consistent all offseason. He has consistently called him the best quarterback in the draft class over the likes of Caleb Williams and Drake Maye. Harbaugh did so again while talking with reporters on Monday.
“I’ve said it before, and I think it’s well documented: I think he’s the best quarterback in the draft,” said Harbaugh. “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.”
Only time will tell whether McCarthy ends up succeeding in the NFL. But at the very least, he has the full support of Harbaugh, which could go a long way.
