In the lead-up to the NFL draft, no prospect’s stock sky-rocketed faster than Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s.
Arguably the most polarizing player in the entire draft, opinions varied greatly on the national champion – but several teams reportedly fell in love with him and were hoping to snag him.
At the end of the day, the Minnesota Vikings traded up to draft him with the 10th overall pick.
The Vikings were long-rumored to be one of the teams highest on McCarthy.
Of course, not all rumors are true. As a matter of fact, most are completely nonsense, especially in the lead-up to the draft.
However, the Vikings reported interest in McCarthy ended up being very real and very accurate.
Interestingly, the exact moment head coach Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings found themselves completely sold on McCarthy was captured on camera.
In a pre-draft meeting, McCarthy met with O’Connell and company where he was bombarded with rapid-fire questions and scenarios to test his awareness and football-IQ.
At the conclusion of the meeting, McCarthy expressed his dedication with a heartfelt promise to O’Connell.
“I just want to say I’d run through a brick wall for you,” McCarthy declared while shaking O’Connell’s hand. “Anyone in purple and gold. Promise you that.”
This wasn’t a promise McCarthy made lightly.
He revealed he had only ever said he’d run through a brick wall for two other coaches in his life – both of whom he won championships with.
The first was Bobby Acosta, his high school coach at IMG Academy in Florida, and the second was Jim Harbaugh at Michigan.
McCarthy’s track record speaks for itself.
He led IMG Academy to a national championship in 2021 and then spearheaded the undefeated Michigan Wolverines to a national championship in 2023.
If his brick wall promise leads to a Super Bowl title for Minnesota, McCarthy and O’Connell will be cemented in history as Vikings legends – right up there with Ragnar Lothbrok.
What are your thoughts on McCarthy as a quarterback?
Are you one of his many supporters? … Or one of his many critics?
What are your expectations for him and the Vikings going forward?
At the end of the day, does he have a chance to be the best quarterback to come from the 2024 draft class???