JJ McCarthy shares sweet moment with girlfriend after National Championship win (2024)

J.J. McCarthy was spotted celebrating with his family after winning the National Championship (Image: Getty)

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Specifically, McCarthy went to the sidelines to look for his family. McCarthy was able to spot some of his family before turning his attention to his girlfriend since high school, Katya Kuropas.

With his arms spread apart, an emotional Kuropas leaned over the railing and kissed her boyfriend as he brought his arms to embrace her. The two then shared a moment to talk before McCarthy was needed back on the field.

The moment between McCarthy, his family and his girlfriend was a long time coming for the 20-year-old quarterback. In 2022, McCarthy led Michigan to the College Football Playoff Semifinals against TCU.

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J.J. McCarthy helped Michigan beat Washington for the CFP National Championship (Image: Getty)

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Though McCarthy had an impressive game against TCU, completing 20 of 34 passes for a career-high 343 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions - which were both returned for touchdowns, Michigan lost, 51-45, in a high-scoring affair.

For the season, the young signal caller completed 208 of 322 passes for 2,719 yards and threw 22 touchdowns to five interceptions, earning him a 155.0 quarterback rating. He was also named to the All-Big Ten second team as a result of his exploits that season.

After that disappointing end to the 2022 season, McCarthy and Michigan's head coach Jim Harbaugh prepared to make the 2023 season an even better one. In some ways, McCarthy did just that, as he recorded the best passing game of his career, connecting on 86.7 percent (26-for-30) of his passes against East Carolina in the 30-3 win.

J.J. McCarthy is a champion after losing to TCU in the semifinals in 2022 (Image: Getty)

McCarthy's 86.7 percent completion percentage is the second-highest in Michigan's school history, second only behind Elvis Grbac's 90.9 percent completion percentage, which he set against Notre Dame in 1991. Then on Nov. 4 against Purdue, McCarthy passed Tom Brady for the ninth-most passing list in Michigan's school history, after the former completed 24 of 37 passes for 335 yards.

However, Michigan's quest for a championship was dealt a blow when it was discovered that the team tried to gain an illegal advantage. Connor Stallions was sent to scout teams that Michigan was to face and gather information on the signs the teams used to call plays on both offense and defense.

Once Michigan was revealed to have been stealing signs to some degree, Stallions resigned from Michigan, despite the school maintaining they were innocent. Still, Harbaugh was suspended for three games by the Big Ten, adding to his already turbulent 2023 season - as he was suspended at the start of the season for violating NCAA recruiting rules.

Although McCarthy and Michigan were saddled with hurdles, the two were able to make it work, thanks to the fact that the team was able to coalesce and reach the College Football Playoffs undefeated. Despite a close game against Alabama, McCarthy was able to lead Michigan to a 27-20 overtime win and was awarded the Rose Bowl Offensive MVP.

Then against Washington, McCarthy did just enough while the rest of the offense took care of business, helping the school win the National Championship in Houston, Texas. With McCarthy being one of the main catalysts for Michigan's impressive playoff run, it's only fair that he celebrates the moment with those closest to him: His family and girlfriend.

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