Today, I’m going to be tackling the third part of a three-part series comparing the 2024 incoming QBs. First were the two at the top: Caleb Williams and Drake Maye. Then it was Jayden Daniels vs. Michael Penix Jr. Lastly, we’ll be taking a look at J.J. McCarthy vs. Bo Nix. These QBs are some of the top prospects in this year’s class and it’s worth some discussion about which one is superior.
J.J. McCarthy (QB – Michigan)
J.J. McCarthy is about to suit up for a national championship bout with Washington but he didn’t really lead the Wolverines to a national title as much as his running back Blake Corum did. McCarthy is a prototypical NFL size at 6’3”, 203 lbs., and has a great NFL IQ. However, as a Michigan Wolverine alum and avid fan, I can tell you he doesn’t really have what it takes to make it as a QB in the league.
He passed for 2,851 yards with 22 TDs and 4 INTs. The low interception number is good but the lack of yards and TDs tell the real tale. Michigan is a running team and McCarthy game-managed just enough to get the Wolverines to a national title. To his credit, he has decent wheels and can take off when the pocket collapses. My worry is his lack of arm strength as it relates to the transition to the NFL. Along with this, most recently against Alabama, McCarthy missed wide-open WRs several times throughout the game. That is uncharacteristic of him, as being able to read the field is normally a strength, so perhaps the lights were a bit bright for the college football playoff game.
Bo Nix (QB – Oregon)
Bo Nix is 38 years young and is ready to take on a backup role coming to an NFL stadium near you! Ok, enough jesting. Nix will actually be 24 come draft time, but it feels like he’s been playing college ball forever. He’s 6’2”, 216 lbs. which is tall and heavy enough to not draw any NFL concerns.
Nix passed for 4,508 yards with 45 TDs and only 3 INTs this year. These are very impressive numbers, especially when compared to McCarthy’s above. The INTs went down from 7 in 2022 despite an increase in pass attempts in 2023. That speaks to an accurate QB. 45 TDs to 3 INTs is a rather insane stat.
2023 was Nix’s fifth year as a starter and he has definitely mastered his craft as it relates to the college game. However, I don’t see his game transitioning over the NFL very well, so I stated earlier that I think he’ll be a backup in the league. I think he can be a solid backup for many years and a guy who can come in and be a spot starter here and there.
Closing Thoughts
Unfortunately, I don’t see either of these guys as being successful NFL QBs. However, both could be highly coveted backups; with several QB-needy teams coming into the draft, all it takes is one team to fall in love for them to see significant NFL action. If I had to guess, I’d expect the first of the pair to be JJ McCarthy given his football IQ. Therefore, that means JJ McCarthy is my pick in this QB battle.
Thanks for reading! Any questions/positive feedback/negative feedback/whatever, I can be found on Twitter @DynastyPatrolHQ #DFFArmy #AlwaysBeBuilding #AlwaysBeScouting #DynastyFootball #NFL #NFLTrades #NFLDraft #NFLInjuries #PlantYourFlag
