Michigan football: Thoughts on J.J. McCarthy's NFL draft decision

Michigan football celebrated its national championship on Saturday with a parade, but on Sunday the Wolverines will find out about the future of starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

McCarthy, the former five-star quarterback, posted a 27-1 record over the past two seasons as a starter for the Wolverines. He's a three-time Big Ten champion and helped Michigan football post a 3-0 record over the Ohio State Buckeyes.

His crowning achievement will be his 15-0 season. McCarthy was a First-Team All-Big Ten selection at quarterback. But now a decision looms as he had to decide by Sunday night at midnight whether he wants to return to the Wolverines or enter the NFL draft.

McCarthy isn't the only Michigan football player with an NFL draft decision looming. Donovan Edwards, Rod Moore, and Trente Jones are among the others who have decisions to make about the NFL draft.

Yet, everyone is focused on McCarthy, so what is he doing to do?

Thoughts on J.J. McCarthy's NFL draft decision

First off, to those saying that McCarthy "needs" another season -- you're wrong. He doesn't. Jim Harbaugh and Sherrone Moore have both said that McCarthy is NFL-ready. I believe that to be true.

McCarthy is one of the most accurate passers in college football. He needs to get more consistent and he could always use another season of experience.

However, McCarthy completed 72.3 percent of his passes this season and over the past two seasons, J.J. threw 44 touchdowns compared to just nine interceptions. That also included eight rushing touchdowns. He also averaged nine yards per pass attempt this season, which is an elite number. McCarthy also has elite arm strength.

I said he was going to be a top-10 pick last summer and I believe that to be true. McCarthy will shine in the NFL draft process and he's got as good an arm as anyone in the draft -- at least that's my opinion.

Understandably, Michigan football fans want him back. But I've also anticipated that McCarthy would leave. He's a different dude, so I wouldn't be surprised if McCarthy came back for his senior season, but after a perfect season, a perfect record against Ohio State, and a national title -- J.J. doesn't have anything to prove. He's the greatest QB in Michigan football history.

My thought is that McCarthy will declare for the draft. Nothing would shock me, but like Jim Harbaugh, we owe McCarthy nothing but the deepest sense of gratitude for delivering a national championship -- something I previously thought to be impossible.