J.J. McCarthy, a standout player from the national championship-winning Michigan Wolverines, is expected to be the first of many players drafted from the team. With a record 18 players from Michigan participating in the combine, the Wolverines have a chance to make history by having at least 16 prospects picked in a single NFL draft.
Michigan's running back Blake Corum expressed confidence in the team's potential, stating, 'We definitely have a shot because we have some great players on the team — and we won the natty. We could break the record.'
The current record for the most players drafted from a national championship team stands at 15, set by Georgia in the 2023 draft. However, Michigan is poised to surpass this record with several players projected to be selected in various rounds.
J.J. McCarthy is anticipated to be a top pick in the upcoming draft, with some speculating he could be among the top five selections. His teammates, including Kris Jenkins, Junior Colson, Mike Sainristil, Roman Wilson, and Blake Corum, are also expected to be drafted in the early rounds.
Other Michigan players like Zak Zinter, Braiden McGregor, Jaylen Harrell, Cornelius Johnson, Michael Barrett, AJ Barner, Trevor Keegan, and LaDarius Henderson are likely to be picked in the later rounds of the draft.
The team's success is attributed to the talent and dedication of its players, with Jenkins noting, 'It just goes to show how many dogs we got on this team, and how many people are willing to play the role and humble themselves. It’s special.'
If all the projected Michigan players are drafted, along with additional prospects like Drake Nugent, Trente Jones, Karsen Barnhart, and Josh Wallace, the Wolverines could set a new record for the most players drafted from a national championship team.
Michigan's strong presence at the combine caught the attention of former coach Jim Harbaugh, who praised the players' performance. Harbaugh, now with the NFL's Los Angeles Chargers, may advocate for drafting some of his former players based on their skills and potential.
The upcoming NFL draft holds promise for Michigan's talented athletes, with high expectations for their future success in the professional league.
