Look: Desmond Howard picks Michigan's J.J. McCarthy for NFL OROY on 'College Gameday'

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Look: Desmond Howard picks Michigan's J.J. McCarthy for NFL OROY on 'College Gameday'

John Leuzzi, Detroit Free Press · Detroit Free Press

Thu, Apr 25, 2024 ·

2 min read

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The 2024 NFL Draft begins in less than one hour, and already Offensive Rookie of the Year predictions being made.

During ESPN's "College Gameday" broadcast at the NFL draft, Michigan football receiver Desmond Howard, now an ESPN analyst, predicted that Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy will take home that award next February come the NFL Honors ceremony.

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"I got J.J.," Howard said. "Not only is he physically ready, Coach (referring to former Alabama coach Nick Saban) but mentally ready. Look at the way he meditates. ... He's always looking to get better."

McCarthy, who's in line to become the highest-drafted quarterback in Michigan program history , surpassing Harbaugh who went No. 26 overall in the 1987 NFL Draft — finished with over 6,200 passing yards with 49 passing touchdowns in his three seasons in Ann Harbor.

Howard also picked McCarthy as his selection when asked by host Rece Davis on who is the most NFL-ready out of this year's draft class.

"I think it is J.J. McCarthy . We talk about Jim Harbaugh. Jim Harbaugh, obviously he's a great coach. In NFL and college, (he) played the quarterback position. I think he has them ( Michigan players) ready for the NFL," Howard said.

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