J.J. McCarthy Bio
Jonathan James McCarthy (born January 20, 2003) is an American professional football quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, earning Big Ten Quarterback of the Year after leading the Wolverines to a 15–0 record and a national championship in 2023. In his three years at Michigan, the Wolverines won three Big Ten titles and made three College Football Playoff semifinal appearances. McCarthy finished with a 27–1 record (.964) in two seasons as a starting quarterback, the highest career winning percentage in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) history. He was selected 10th overall by the Vikings in the 2024 NFL draft. After missing his entire rookie year due to injury, McCarthy became the starter in his second season.
Early Life and Background
Jonathan James McCarthy was born on January 20, 2003, in Evanston, Illinois, and grew up in La Grange Park, Illinois. He attended Nazareth Academy for high school until transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, as a senior in 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic that led to the cancellation of Nazareth’s football season. In two seasons as the starting quarterback at Nazareth, McCarthy led his team to a 26–2 record with consecutive appearances in the IHSA Class 7A state championship game, winning the state title as a sophomore in 2018.
McCarthy was a five-star recruit in the 247Sports composite rankings, which uses the ratings of each major recruiting website. At age 16, McCarthy said that Ryan Day “lied to my face” by telling him in March that Ohio State would not take a quarterback in the 2021 recruiting class until the end of the summer, but then accepted a commitment from Kyle McCord in April. Despite growing up an Ohio State fan, McCarthy committed to rival Michigan the next month over offers from 24 other schools, including Ohio State. Speaking about his new hatred of Ohio State, McCarthy said, “I used to love them. Now I want to kill them.”
Path to American Football
McCarthy played hockey growing up and said that it was actually his first love, not football. Around his freshman year of high school, McCarthy made the decision to give up hockey in order to focus on football. He called it “one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make.” In the eighth grade, McCarthy received a scholarship offer to play football at Iowa State from head coach Matt Campbell. In May 2019, McCarthy committed to play college football at the University of Michigan and enrolled in 2021.
He appeared in 11 games for the Wolverines during the 2021 season, primarily as a rotational backup behind Cade McNamara. McCarthy completed 34 of 59 passes for 516 yards, with five passing touchdowns and two interceptions while also rushing for 124 yards and two touchdowns. On September 4, 2021, McCarthy made his debut against Western Michigan, completing four of six passes for 80 yards, including his first collegiate touchdown pass, a 69-yard reception by Daylen Baldwin.
J.J. McCarthy Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
In the final game of the regular season against Ohio State in 2021, McCarthy helped Michigan defeat the Buckeyes to advance to the 2021 Big Ten Championship. He entered the game midway through the third quarter in a pivotal drive and completed a 31-yard pass to Roman Wilson. McCarthy’s performance in the Orange Bowl against the Georgia Bulldogs in the CFP semifinal set the stage for a quarterback competition leading into the next season, with many believing he would be the starting quarterback in 2022.
Prior to the 2022 season, McCarthy competed with Cade McNamara for the role as Michigan’s starting quarterback. He started and played most of the first half against Hawaii, completing 11-of-12 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns. McCarthy continued as Michigan’s starting quarterback, leading the team to another successful season.
Breakthrough (2023)
In 2023, McCarthy recorded his best career passing game at home against East Carolina, throwing for 280 yards and three touchdowns. He continued to excel throughout the season, leading Michigan to an undefeated record and a national championship title. His performance in the Rose Bowl earned him the Offensive Player of the Game award, and he was praised by Michigan’s head coach Jim Harbaugh as the greatest quarterback in the program’s history.
Notable Works and Milestones
McCarthy finished his career at Michigan with a 27–1 record as the starting quarterback, the best winning percentage in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision history. He was recognized with multiple accolades, including being named the Big Ten Quarterback of the Year and earning first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2023.
J.J. McCarthy Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Jonathan James McCarthy has received several nominations for his outstanding performances on the field, particularly during his time at the University of Michigan.
J.J. McCarthy Awards Won
Jonathan James McCarthy has won numerous awards, including the CFP national champion title, the Rose Bowl Offensive Most Valuable Player award, and the Big Ten Quarterback of the Year award, all in 2023.
J.J. McCarthy Family
Jonathan James McCarthy is engaged to his high school sweetheart, Katya Kuropas. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Rome Micah McCarthy, on September 12, 2025.
Personal Life
McCarthy is a practitioner of meditation, which he began doing in high school. His commitment to personal growth and mental well-being has been an important aspect of his life.
