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Who was last Michigan QB drafted in NFL draft's first round? J.J. McCarthy set to make history
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- Who was last Michigan QB drafted in NFL draft's first round? J.J. McCarthy set to make history
After helping lead Michigan football to a 15-0 record, its third-consecutive Big Ten championship and the program's first national championship since 1997, J.J. McCarthy has more accomplishments in front of him.
If projections are to be believed, McCarthy will be a first-round pick on Thursday night in the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit . Many outlets pegging him as a top-10 selection.
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It will put him in a rare position among Wolverines quarterbacks.
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Though Michigan is the winningest program in college football history and is one of the schools synonymous with the sport, it doesn't have a lengthy list of former quarterbacks who have been drafted into the NFL and excelled in the professional ranks once there — though, of course, there's a certain sixth-round pick from the 2000 NFL Draft who more than makes up for that relative dearth.
As McCarthy is poised to make program history Thursday night, here's a look at the history of Michigan quarterbacks in the NFL draft:
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When was the last time a Michigan quarterback was drafted in first round?
While it's possible McCarthy won't be selected as high as some mock drafts have him, it's a virtual certainty that, as the widely accepted No. 4 quarterback in the class, he will be taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday.
Should he manage to do that, he'll be just the second Michigan quarterback ever selected in the first round, according to Pro Football Reference's database. The only other quarterback to earn that distinction is none other than McCarthy's coach with the Wolverines.
Jim Harbaugh was the No. 26 overall pick in the 1987 NFL Draft, landing with the Chicago Bears , with whom he spent the first seven seasons of his career.
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Highest-picked Michigan quarterback in NFL draft history
Entering the 2024 NFL Draft, Harbaugh is the highest-drafted Michigan quarterback in the history of the draft. He went No. 26 overall, making it a virtual certainty that McCarthy will be the highest-drafted QB in Wolverines history by the conclusion of Thursday's first round.
Michigan quarterback selected in NFL draft
According to Pro Football Reference's database, 14 Michigan players who classified as quarterbacks have been selected in the NFL draft over the event's nearly 90-year history, with McCarthy set to make it 15.
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Here is a list of the former Wolverines quarterbacks selected in the NFL draft, in order of draft position:
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Jim Harbaugh, 1987: Chicago Bears, first round, No. 26 overall pick
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Steve Smith, 1984*: San Diego Chargers , second round, No. 33 overall pick
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Todd Collins, 1995: Buffalo Bills , second round, No. 45 overall pick
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Jim Van Pelt, 1958: Washington , fifth round, No. 54 overall pick
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Chad Henne , 2008: Miami Dolphins , second round, No. 57 overall pick
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Bob Ptacek, 1959: Cleveland Browns , eighth round, No. 87 overall pick
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Brian Griese, 1998: Denver Broncos , third round, No. 91 overall pick
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Rick Leach, 1979: Broncos, fifth round, No. 132 overall pick
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Jake Rudock , 2016: Detroit Lions , sixth round, No. 191 overall pick
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Drew Henson, 2003: Houston Texans , sixth round, No. 192 overall pick
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Tom Brady , 2000: New England Patriots , sixth round, No. 199 overall pick
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John Navarre, 2004: Arizona Cardinals , seventh round, No. 202 overall pick
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Elvis Grbac, 1993: San Francisco 49ers , eighth round, No. 219 overall pick
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Larry Cipa, 1974: New Orleans Saints , 15thround, No. 373 overall pick
* Supplemental draft
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Where will Michigan's J.J. McCarthy go in 2024 NFL Draft?
Here's a look at where various mock drafts have McCarthy pegged to go:
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ESPN's Mel Kiper : Minnesota Vikings (via trade with Los Angeles Chargers), first round, No. 5 overall pick
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ESPN's Field Yates : Vikings (via trade with Chargers), first round, No. 5 overall pick
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CBS Sports : Vikings (via trade with Chargers), first round, No. 5 overall pick
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The Athletic : Vikings (via trade with Cardinals), first round, No. 4 overall pick
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NFL Network : New York Giants (via trade with Cardinals), first round, No. 4 overall pick
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Pro Football Focus : Vikings (via trade with Chargers), first round, No. 5 overall pick
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Who is highest-drafted Michigan QB? J.J. McCarthy can pass Jim Harbaugh in NFL draft history
