Jon McCarthy
Born 2003 · Age 22
American football quarterback. Starred at Nazareth Academy and IMG Academy in high school, played at Michigan (2021–2023) leading the Wolverines to three Big Ten titles and the 2023 national championship, drafted 10th overall by the Minnesota Vikings in 2024.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in La Grange Park, Illinois
Jonathan James McCarthy born in La Grange Park, Illinois.
Eighth-grade scholarship offer from Iowa State
Received a scholarship offer to play football at Iowa State from coach Matt Campbell while in eighth grade.
Publicized early scholarship / recruiting attention
Articles and social media noted McCarthy's early recruiting attention, including the Iowa State offer (coverage June 2017).
Led Nazareth Academy to IHSA Class 7A state title (sophomore)
As Nazareth's starting QB, helped lead team to Class 7A state championship in Illinois (sophomore season).
Nazareth starting record - part of 26–2 stretch
In two seasons as Nazareth starting QB he led the team to a combined 26–2 record and consecutive state championship game appearances.
Five-star recruit (247Sports composite)
Rated a five-star recruit in the 247Sports composite rankings.
Committed to University of Michigan
Publicly committed to play college football at Michigan (May 2019); chose Michigan over offers from ~24 schools including Ohio State.
Finished high school career 36–2 with 7,905 passing yards
High school career totals included 36–2 record as a starter, 7,905 pass yards, 94 TDs and 13 interceptions (Nazareth + IMG combined).
Transferred to IMG Academy (senior year)
Transferred from Nazareth Academy to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida for his senior season after Nazareth's 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19.
IMG Academy undefeated season & national championship (senior)
Led IMG Academy to an 8–0 record and consensus high school national championship in 2020.
High school season: MasPreps Florida Player of the Year
Named MasPreps Florida High School Football Player of the Year (2020).
Academic All-Big Ten and team honors
Two-time Academic All‑Big Ten honoree (2022-23) and shared Offensive Rookie of the Year honors (2021) at Michigan.
Enrolled at University of Michigan
Matriculated at Michigan and joined the Wolverines football program (enrolled in 2021).
Notable freshman plays (Wisconsin, Maryland, Ohio State)
Scored first collegiate rushing TD vs Wisconsin and had big plays vs Maryland and key drive vs Ohio State late in regular season helping Michigan reach Big Ten title game.
Shared team Offensive Rookie of the Year (Michigan)
Awarded Michigan's Offensive Rookie of the Year (shared) after appearing in 11 games as a true freshman.
Collegiate debut vs Western Michigan (first TD pass)
Made Michigan debut, completing 4-of-6 passes for 80 yards including a 69-yard touchdown to Daylen Baldwin (Sept 4, 2021).
Orange Bowl CFP semifinal relief appearance
Replaced Cade McNamara late vs Georgia, accounted for 137 yards and a TD in last ~16 minutes, sparking offense in Orange Bowl (CFP semifinal).
2022 season totals
Completed 208-of-322 for 2,719 yards, 22 TDs and 5 INTs; added 70 carries for 306 yards and 5 rushing TDs (2022 season totals).
2022: Became Michigan's full-time starting QB
Won QB competition and started the majority of games in 2022, starting 13 of 14 games and leading Michigan to an undefeated regular season.
Three-TD performances vs Nebraska and Rutgers
Recorded three-touchdown games in consecutive weeks vs Nebraska and Rutgers to start November 2022 (two passing, one rushing in each).
Named starter moving forward after Hawaii start
Started vs Hawaii (Sept 10, 2022), completed 11-of-12 for 229 yds and 3 TDs; Harbaugh announced McCarthy would be starter vs UConn and moving forward on merit.
Huge performance vs Indiana (304 yards)
Completed 28-of-36 for 304 yards, three TDs and one INT at Indiana (Oct 8, 2022).
Beat Ohio State (263 yards, 3 TDs)
Passed for 263 yards and 3 TDs and added a rushing TD in 45–23 win over Ohio State (Nov 26, 2022).
Won 2022 Big Ten Championship vs Purdue
Threw for 161 yards and 3 TDs in a 43–22 win over Purdue, securing Michigan's second straight Big Ten title.
Fiesta Bowl (CFP semifinal) — career-high 343 passing yards (loss)
Completed 20-of-34 for a career-high 343 yards with 2 TDs and 2 INTs (both returned for TDs) in 51–45 loss to TCU (Dec 31, 2022).
Griese–Brees Big Ten Quarterback of the Year (2023)
Named Big Ten Quarterback of the Year for the 2023 season (Griese–Brees award).
All-Big Ten honors (First team 2023, Second team 2022)
Consensus First-Team All-Big Ten in 2023; Second-Team All-Big Ten (media) and Third-Team (coaches) in 2022.
National award finalist and semifinalist honors (2022–2023)
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award finalist (2023), Manning Award finalist (2023), Davey O'Brien semifinalist (2022).
Top-10 Heisman Trophy finalist (10th place, 2023)
Finished 10th in the Heisman Trophy voting for the 2023 season (top-10 Heisman finisher).
Set Michigan single-season completion percentage record (72.3%)
Set program single-season completion percentage record (72.3%) during the 2023 season; also set single-season interception rate record (1.20%).
2023 season opener vs East Carolina — 26/30, 280 yards, 3 TDs
Completed 26-of-30 (86.7%) for 280 yards and 3 TDs; completion percentage was then second-highest in program history (Sept 2, 2023).
Follow-up performance vs UNLV — 22/25, 278 yards
Completed 22-of-25 (88.0%) for 278 yards and two TDs, improving his completion percentage mark (Sept 9, 2023).
Two rushing touchdowns vs Minnesota (Oct 7, 2023)
Recorded his first career game with two rushing TDs and added passing production in win at Minnesota.
Career-best 4 passing TDs at Michigan State
Threw a career-high four passing touchdowns on the road vs rival Michigan State (Oct 21, 2023).
335 passing yards vs Purdue; passed Tom Brady on program list
Completed 24-of-37 for 335 yards (Nov 4, 2023), passing Tom Brady for ninth on Michigan's all-time passing yards list.
Third straight win vs Ohio State in college career
Completed 16-of-20 for 148 yards and a TD in a victory over Ohio State (Nov 25, 2023), marking his third straight season beating the Buckeyes.
Fastest Michigan QB to reach 25 career wins (Big Ten Championship)
Became the fastest quarterback in Michigan history to reach 25 career wins (26 starts) by winning the 2023 Big Ten Championship over Iowa.
Rose Bowl (CFP Semifinal) — Offensive MVP
Completed 17-of-27 for 221 yards and 3 TDs in 27–20 OT win over Alabama at the Rose Bowl; named Offensive MVP of the game (Jan 1, 2024).
Finished Michigan career with historic 27–1 record as starter
Completed college career with a 27–1 record (.964) as a starting QB — highest winning percentage in NCAA FBS history for a starter (1978–present).
Estimated rookie contract / signing
As the 10th overall pick in 2024, McCarthy would have signed a multi-year rookie contract (standard 1st-round rookie deal). Estimated immediate net worth impact from signing and signing bonus.
Meditation practice noted as early influence
Has practiced meditation since high school and credited it with helping his mental preparation and coping with depression and pressure.
Declared for 2024 NFL Draft
Announced he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2024 NFL Draft (declaration reported Jan 14, 2024).
Vikings franchise notes & historical marks
Became the Vikings' highest-drafted QB pick (10th) and the first offensive Michigan player drafted by the Vikings in franchise history.
Engaged to high school sweetheart Katya Kuropas
Announced engagement to high school girlfriend Katya Kuropas in January 2024 shortly after Michigan's national title.
Historical note: fifth of six QBs taken in 2024 first round
McCarthy was the fifth of six quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, tying the 1983 record for most QBs taken in the first round.
CFP National Championship — Undefeated national champion
Led Michigan to a 34–13 victory over Washington in the National Championship game (Jan 8, 2024), completing 10-of-18 for 140 yards; team finished 15–0.
NFL Combine measurables recorded
At the 2024 NFL Combine posted measurements: 6'2.5" (listed 6'3), 219 lb, 31 5/8" arm, 9" hand, 20-yd shuttle 4.23s, three-cone 6.82s.
Drafted 10th overall by Minnesota Vikings
Selected 10th overall in the 1st round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings (the fifth of six quarterbacks taken in the first round).
Named backup to Sam Darnold to open Vikings training camp
Reports indicated Sam Darnold would be QB1 in camp and McCarthy would open as the backup (head coach staff comments June 2024).
Suffered torn meniscus in right knee (preseason)
Reported soreness after preseason opener; diagnosed with a full tear of the right knee meniscus and required surgery.
Preseason debut — threw two touchdowns
In Vikings' preseason opener vs Las Vegas Raiders McCarthy completed passes including two TDs and 188 yards in the preseason game appearance.
Placed on Injured Reserve (missed entire rookie season)
Underwent surgery and was placed on IR; became the first first‑round quarterback to miss his entire rookie season due to injury (IR transaction reported Aug 28, 2024).
Named Vikings starter heading into 2025 season
After Sam Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency, McCarthy was named the Vikings' starter heading into the 2025 season (reports March 2025).
Announced fiancee pregnant, due September 2025
Publicly announced Katya Kuropas was pregnant and due in September 2025 (announcement May 21, 2025).
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