J.J. the quarterback for the University of Michigan Both on and off the field, McCarthy is very busy. The college athlete and Katya Kuropas have been dating for more than four years.
While attending Illinois high school, McCarthy and Kuropas fell in love. The football player gained notoriety at Nazareth Academy and, after being rated as one of the best quarterback recruits before his junior and senior years of high school, made a commitment to Michigan in May 2019.
He made his Instagram relationship with Kuropas official months before deciding to play for the Wolverines.
“I AM THE LUCKY ONE TO BE DATING THIS GIRL,” he gushed in January 2019 via Instagram. “She makes me the happiest guy in the world. Thank you for being amazing each and every day. Happy birthday Katya.♥️”
McCarthy played behind starting quarterback Cade McNamara at Michigan before the 2021 season. That October, he and Kuropas celebrated three years together.
“3 trips around the sun with the love of my life. I honestly do not even know where I would be without this girl in my life,” he gushed via Instagram. “I simply do not deserve her because of the kind of woman she is. The pureness in her heart and soul is just one the many qualities that make this girl so incredible.”
McCarthy continued, “I am extremely blessed and grateful for God bringing this woman into my life and I pray that she is by my side for years to come,” making it apparent that their connection included religion.
In his second campaign in the blue and maize, McCarthy replaced McNamara as the starter.
“J.J. had a near-flawless performance. 11-for-12 and then one was dropped. That’s tough to do any day of the week in practice,” head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters after McCarthy led Michigan to a 56-10 win over Hawaii in September 2022. “I thought he had a great game. He’s playing really well, we’ll start J.J. next week. By merit, he’s earned that. That’s by performance, by merit.”
One month later, he commemorated four years with Kuropas by his side.
“I can’t believe it’s been 4 years my lovey,” he wrote. “High school sweethearts, but feels like I’ve known you since the play pen. Blessed and extremely grateful for your love and pure heart. Together, forever, whatever life brings.”
McCarthy’s on-field success persisted throughout the year, too, up until December 31, 2022, when an undefeated Michigan team fell to Texas Christian University in the College Football Playoff.
To view McCarthy and Kuropas’ relationship history, scroll down:
2018
The twosome started dating.
August 2019
The athlete marked “365 days of loving” Kuropas.
December 2019
McCarthy referred to his love as “my rock” during his junior year of high school.
June 2020
“Some things just go better together❤️,” he gushed via Instagram.
October 2020
The twosome celebrated two years of officially dating.
“They say, once a man finds the right woman for him, he can accomplish anything. I am blessed and thankful for finding the right one for me at such a young age,” McCarthy wrote via Instagram. “Honored to have spent 2 years of my life with the woman of my dreams, and excited for the years to come❤️ #730days.”
April 2021
The duo posed for a sweet snap.
September 2021
“How’d I get so lucky ?,” the football player gushed via Instagram.
October 2021
In his third anniversary tribute, McCarthy referred to Kuropas as the “love of my life.”
January 2022
“Happy cake day to the most beautiful soul ❤️,” he wrote in his girlfriend’s birthday tribute. “Not only are you the love of my life, you are my best friend and someone who has always pushed me to be the best possible version of myself every single day. 19 down with many many more to come, and I would be the luckiest man in the world to be able to experience the rest of them by your side. Happy 19th @katyakuropas !!! I love you beyond measure ❤️❤️❤️.”
December 2022
As ESPN continued to highlight her emotions in the audience when Michigan faced TCU on New Year’s Eve, Kuropas generated a lot of buzz online during the Fiesta Bowl. McCarthy and the Wolverines suffered a 51–45 loss.
