Chargers' Harbaugh predicts McCarthy to be 1st QB drafted

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh believes his former Michigan quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, will be the first quarterback selected at the 2024 NFL Draft.

"Arm talent, athleticism, 'it' factor, winning with numbing repetition," Harbaugh replied when asked what McCarthy offers during an appearance on "The Herd."

Harbaugh added, "Don't be surprised ... when he goes, he's the No. 1 quarterback off the board. That's my prediction right now."

The new Chargers coach continued to praise McCarthy, saying he'll impress NFL teams during the pre-draft process.

"He's got it," Harbaugh added. "The competitiveness that he has. And (when) they get around him and they really start digging in and they start talking to him. Yeah, that's an early prediction for the 2024 NFL Draft."

McCarthy was Harbaugh's quarterback during Michigan's run to the national championship this past season. However, he's part of a loaded quarterback class that also includes the likes of Caleb Williams, Heisman winner Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye, among others.

Harbaugh's Chargers own the No. 5 pick in the draft.