The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Sports›Football›JJ McCarthy
Sports • Football

JJ McCarthy

JJ McCarthy is an American professional football quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

JJ McCarthy is an American professional football quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, where he helped lead the team to an undefeated 2023 season and a national championship.

Early life and high school career

McCarthy was born in La Grange Park, Illinois. He attended high school in the Chicago area and built a reputation as a top quarterback prospect.

College career

McCarthy played for the Michigan Wolverines from 2021 to 2023. His most notable season came in 2023, when Michigan went undefeated and won the national championship.

Professional career

The Minnesota Vikings selected McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He joined the team as a quarterback and was listed on the Vikings roster in the NFL.

Playing profile

McCarthy is a quarterback known for his passing ability and mobility. He is listed at 6-foot-3 and 219 pounds by NFL team and league profiles.

Key facts

  • McCarthy played quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines before entering the NFL.
  • He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
  • At Michigan, he helped the Wolverines finish 15–0 in 2023 and win the national championship.
  • He received Big Ten Quarterback of the Year honours after the 2023 season.
  • He is listed by the NFL as an active Minnesota Vikings quarterback.
🍁
Canadian context

McCarthy is relevant to Canadian readers through NFL coverage, especially because the league has a substantial fan base in Canada and the Vikings regularly appear in Canadian sports media.

Frequently asked questions

Who is JJ McCarthy?
JJ McCarthy is an American football quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL.
What college did JJ McCarthy attend?
He played college football at the University of Michigan.
When was JJ McCarthy drafted?
He was selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 10th overall by the Minnesota Vikings.
What did JJ McCarthy accomplish at Michigan?
He helped Michigan win the 2023 national championship after an undefeated 15–0 season.
What position does JJ McCarthy play?
He plays quarterback.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._J._McCarthy
    Supports: Full name, birth date, college career, and Michigan's 2023 championship season.
  2. NFL.com — https://www.nfl.com/players/j-j-mccarthy/
    Supports: Current team, position, height, weight, and active roster status.
  3. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4433970/jj-mccarthy
    Supports: Birth date, college, and 2024 draft selection.
  4. Michigan Wolverines Athletics — https://mgoblue.com/sports/football/roster/jj-mccarthy/24383
    Supports: College career statistics and appearances.
  5. Minnesota Vikings — https://www.vikings.com/team/players-roster/j-j-mccarthy/
    Supports: Roster profile, height, weight, and team information.