Report: Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy expected to make NFL decision after title game

Following his stellar three-touchdown performance against Alabama in the Rose Bowl, McCarthy has risen to the No. 5 QB prospect and the 23rd-best player overall in ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.'s rankings. 

"McCarthy has first-round arm talent and can beat defenses with his legs too," Kiper wrote last week. "He ranks third in the country in Total QBR (89.5) and completion percentage (73.2%). Since he took over as the Wolverines' starter last season, he has thrown 44 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. Five of those INTs have come in two games, however ... Outside of those two games, he has managed games effectively and made great decisions with the football." 

Entering Monday's action, McCarthy had thrown for 2,851 yards with 22 touchdowns and four interceptions across 14 games while posting a completion rate of 73.2%. While his stats don't jump off the stat sheet, McCarthy's poise, high IQ, and arm talent more than compensate for it.

The term "game manager" might get thrown around in regard to McCarthy's style of play, considering he averaged just 22.4 pass attempts per game this season, but he's a proven winner, which NFL teams will surely take into consideration. 

The 20-year-old notched a 26-1 record over his first 27 games as a starter and has drawn praise as the best quarterback in program history, not just from HC Jim Harbaugh but also Tom Brady.

If he adds a national championship to his resume, perhaps McCarthy's draft stock will continue to skyrocket to the point where he may be considered a surefire first-round pick.