Less than one week after winning the College Football Playoff National Championship, both Michigan’s starting quarterback and running back have declared for the NFL Draft.
Wolverines J.J. McCarthy and Blake Corum declared their entrances into the upcoming NFL Draft on Sunday, and both provided crucial roles in Michigan’s national title pursuit.
READ: Reports: Cam Ward puts off NFL Draft, commits to Miami
“I have talked to many in and out of football, including my family, Coach Harbaugh, and many who’s opinions I greatly admire and respect,” McCarthy stated. “This 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. It is almost impossible to put into words what this University and my time here has meant to me, but I am going to take 3 deep breaths right now and try… .”
McCarthy reached a 27-1 record as starting quarterback at Michigan, the second-most winning percentage by a starting gunslinger with at least 20 starts since Toledo’s Chuck Ealey went 35-0.
McCarthy not only was a successful Michigan quarterback, but his accuracy competed among the highest of levels. He threw for a career 68% completion, and his 72.3% this season was sixth-best in college football.
READ: Texas extends Steve Sarkisian through 2030
Often lining up beside him was Corum, who broke Michigan’s all-time rushing record in the CFP.
Corum totaled 3,737 rushing yards and 58 touchdowns in his four-year career. He had a career-high and record-breaking 27 touchdowns this season.
Both McCarthy and Corum were All-Big Ten selections the past two seasons, and they were part of three Michigan teams to beat Ohio State in the rivalry game.
Now, the duo set their sights on the NFL. And their head coach Jim Harbaugh could reportedly join them, as he will interview for the head coaching vacancy with the Los Angeles Chargers this week according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
