Just under two months ago, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy and Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. were slinging passes at the national championship in Houston.
Now, as the calendar nears March, the two are slinging passes in a convention center hallway in Indianapolis.
That sentence admittedly makes it sound like McCarthy and Penix have been forced into some sort of barnstorming or busking situation. However, no need to worry—they’re just warming up for the NFL scouting combine.
Footage circulated Thursday of the two quarterbacks rehearsing in a cramped Indianapolis convention center space before taking the stage for scouts and executives. McCarthy in particular was filmed using former Wolverines running back Blake Corum as a throwing partner.
Behind the scenes at the NFL Scouting Combine 🎥
— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) February 29, 2024
Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy throwing passes to RB Blake Corum in the convention center hallway pic.twitter.com/tLprxL36zn
Michael Penix Jr. throwing lasers backstage at the Combine 🦾
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) February 29, 2024
🎥: @scoutdnfl pic.twitter.com/5Ya3FVci0v
Fans reacted with a mixture of amusement and bemusement.
Some wondered (tongue-in-cheek) whether McCarthy’s space constraints were an indictment of his abilities.
If hotel management really trusted him, they’d let him throw down-atrium more instead of just checking it down to the hallway. https://t.co/vtUeY7dXOP
— Bryan Mac (@Bry_Mac) February 29, 2024
Michigan fans and observers praised their national championship-winning duo’s work ethic.
football guys https://t.co/cNvLEnqqgm
— Brock Heilig (@brockheilig) February 29, 2024
Meanwhile, NFL writers bemoaned the situation for draft prospects.
Kinda ridiculous that in 2024, NFL Draft prospects are still warming up for the biggest workout of their careers in a convention center hallway https://t.co/joPrWiT8GD
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) February 29, 2024
Others wondered what potential onlookers would be thinking.
imagine walking the hallways, turning the corner and this laser just goes by you https://t.co/g8Zl8JQnHP
— Andrew DeSilva (@andrewadesilva) February 29, 2024
