Why Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy’s NFL Draft decision matters so much to Ohio State and The Game

COLUMBUS, Ohio — One of the biggest thorns in the side of the Ohio State football program is finally walking out the door.

J.J. McCarthy once vowed to kill the Buckeyes after they chose Kyle McCord over him, and in doing so he helped with a one-sided rivalry in Michigan’s favor while taking the program to new heights. Now, three years later, he walks away to the NFL Draft with three Big Ten titles, a national title and a 27-1 record.

McCarthy played a vital role in why Ryan Day is 1-3 against the Wolverines, with Day’s only win happening in 2019 when McCarthy was just a junior in high school. As a freshman in 2021, he backed up Cade McNamara but came to throw one 31-yard pass while rushing for another 12 yards in a 42-27 home win. The next year he headed to Columbus as a starter, leaving with a 45-23 win after throwing for 263 yards and three touchdowns and adding another 27 yards and a rushing score. Then he completed the three-peat this past season with a 30-24 win while throwing for 148 yards and a score.

That last win cut the deepest for OSU. It could’ve used that game to change the narrative of what had happened the previous two seasons thanks to a sign-stealing scandal. It also faced a Michigan team that was without its head coach on the sideline. But McCarthy made that not matter. Instead, he got another win, snatched away the Buckeyes’ spot at the top of the Big Ten quarterback hierarchy, and helped the Wolverines close out the four-team College Football Playoff era with a trophy.

He represents the lowest moments the Ohio State football program has endured on the field in the last 25 years. But his departure might be yet another sign that maybe this dark time is coming to a close.

McCarthy is the latest key player on Michigan’s roster who is leaving either because of graduation or NFL Draft declaration. Where the Wolverines go next at quarterback will be a topic all offseason. Its options are Alex Orji — who was used in a wildcat package this past season — Jayden Denegal, Jack Grusser or incoming freshman Jadyn Davis, who was once viewed as a five-star prospect and also had high interest from OSU.

That offseason quarterback battle is where the Wolverines and Buckeyes are alike. But everywhere else, Ohio State seems to be trending upward while Michigan’s peak played out with a win over Washington in the national championship game. Ohio State is busy having all but a handful of its best players choose to “reload the clip” in 2024. Michigan’s best players are leaving one by one.

Plus, there’s still the most important variable in all of this. It’s still unclear whether Jim Harbaugh’s time in Ann Arbor is done, and plenty are leaning toward the answer to that question being yes.

Ohio State just watched its worst nightmare play out in front of it this season, with a third-straight loss to its rival who now sits at the top of college football. But maybe this season is the worst its ever going to get. Michigan heads into an offseason where it could have to completely reset.

McCarthy’s decision only gets us one step closer to that reality coming true, while the Buckeyes look geared up for a season of now or never.