J.J. McCarthy is a 22-year-old quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, born on January 20, 2003. He was drafted by the Vikings in the first round (10th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft after playing college football at the University of Michigan.[3][4] During his college career at Michigan, McCarthy established himself as one of the program's most successful quarterbacks. He finished with a 27-1 record as a starter, achieving a 96.4 winning percentage—the best by any college quarterback since 1971.[2] He accumulated 7,905 career pass yards with 49 touchdown passes and just 13 interceptions, demonstrating exceptional accuracy and decision-making.[2] McCarthy was named the Griese-Brees Big Ten Quarterback of the Year in 2023 and earned consensus first-team All-Big Ten honors that same year.[2] He also received the Bo Schembechler Most Valuable Player award in 2023 and was named the team's Offensive Player of the Year in 2022.[2] McCarthy made an immediate impact in his NFL debut, making history in a Vikings victory over the Chicago Bears. He became the first quarterback to score three fourth-quarter touchdowns in his NFL debut, throwing two touchdown passes to Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones before adding a 14-yard rushing touchdown.[1] Trailing 17-6 after three quarters, McCarthy orchestrated a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback, leading the Vikings to a 27-24 win.[1] He also became the first quarterback to overcome a fourth-quarter deficit of at least 10 points since Hall of Famer Steve Young nearly 40 years earlier.[1] Additionally, McCarthy joined Vikings Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton as the only Vikings quarterbacks to throw multiple touchdowns in their NFL debuts.[1] Currently, McCarthy serves as the Vikings' starting quarterback as the team competes in the 2025 NFL season, continuing to build on his record-setting debut performance.