J.J. McCarthy entering NFL draft, skipping senior season after leading Michigan to national title

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — J.J. McCarthy, Michigan’s national-championship winning quarterback, is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

McCarthy made the announcement Sunday, a day after being begged to stay.

“The decision was not easy and how could it be — I love my teammates, I love my coaches and I love it here in Ann Arbor,” he wrote on his social media accounts.

Jim Harbaugh might be the next to go.

Harbaugh will meet with the Los Angeles Chargers about their head coach vacancy this week, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Sunday because the person wasn’t at liberty to publicly discuss personnel moves.

Besides the Chargers, Atlanta, Carolina, Las Vegas, Seattle, Tennessee and Washington have openings and at least some of those teams may have an interest in bringing Harbaugh back to the NFL.

The Wolverines had a parade through town Saturday, winding their way to their basketball arena. When it was McCarthy’s turn to talk to the sold-out crowd, a chant broke out as he stood and smiled.

“One more year! One more year!” the maize-and-blue clad fans shouted in unison.

McCarthy reminded the audience of his social media post on Nov. 15, 2020 — amid the team’s 2-4 pandemic-shortened season — when he asked Michigan fans to take three deep breaths and gave thanks for the faith they had in the coaches and players.

Then, he addressed his future.

“I know lots of us got some big-time life decision to make,” McCarthy said on a stage at Crisler Center. “But I just want to let you guys know, whatever decisions come, Michigan will forever be in my heart and will always be in my heart. And, I will be proud to be known as a Michigan man.”

The AP All-Big Ten quarterback completed 72.3% of his passes, ranking sixth, just ahead of Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels of LSU. He was ninth in the nation in passing efficiency.

McCarthy threw for 2,991 pass yards, ranking fourth in a single season at Michigan, and 22 touchdowns for the second straight season. He threw four interceptions, none over the last four games and was picked off only once after Week 3.