JJ McCarthy has earned a name for himself in the world of American football. As of now, he plays for the Minnesota Vikings team in the NFL (National Football League). Initially, he started his football journey in college and now he’s a legendary NFL player. It’s fascinating to witness his rise as a football star. There’s a lot of hype around JJ McCarthy’s girlfriend as well. She has been around to support him for a long time. Meanwhile, his talent deserves equal praise. He achieved all of this growth through consistency and dedication.
Aside from the game performances, JJ McCarthy’s mindset has played a key role in his athlete journey. As a sportsman, he is well respected by peers and audiences. During his college football career, McCarthy led his team Michigan Wolverines to a victory. And, the recorded score was 15-0. For the same reason, he earned the prestigious Big Ten Quarterback of the Year Award. You can explore more information about his personal and professional life ahead. This is a complete biography covering JJ McCarthy girlfriend, age, early life, education, career, and much more.
Who Is JJ McCarthy?
His full and official name is Jonathan James McCarthy. That’s JJ McCarthy for short. He was born on January 20, 2003. Moreover, his birthplace is Evanston, Illinois, USA. He’s a professional American football player. Jonathan serves the role of a quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL. When he was an amateur, he played for his college football team i.e., Michigan Wolverines.
He’s one of the best emerging quarterbacks in football history. That too at a very young age. His performances have captivated many fans around the world. Aside from football, McCarthy is also an elite athlete in hockey. This showcases that he’s multi-talented. From high school football to college fame and being ranked in the NFL, he has come a long way. It seems that Jonathan has a bright future ahead and nothing is going to stop him.
Biography Overview
| Official name | Jonathan James McCarthy |
| Nicknames | JJ McCarthy |
| Place of birth | Evanston, Illinois, USA |
| DOB | January 20, 2003 |
| JJ McCarthy Age | 23 years old (As of 2026) |
| Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
| Nationality | American |
| Professions | Football player |
| Educational qualification | Graduate |
| Religion | Christianity |
| JJ McCarthy Girlfriend | Katya Kuropas |
| Net worth | USD 2 million |
| Affiliation | Minnesota Vikings (NFL team) |
| Languages known | English |
Early Life
Jonathan was born in Evanston, Illinois, USA. He spent his childhood growing up in a decent Christian household. In his family, there was a lot of emphasis on sports. That’s because JJ McCarthy’s father named Jim was a football player in high school. Whereas, his mother engaged in competitive figure skating.
That’s why he received a lot of support and encouragement from his family. Jonathan was able to get a lot of exposure in football and hockey due to lack of restrictions. Consequently, his competitive instincts and dedication to sports were sparked early. To further refine his football skill, McCarthy received a lot of training at a young age. He attended the Nazareth Academy and IMG Academy.
JJ McCarthy Age
As has been noted, his birth took place on January 20, 2003. Accordingly, JJ McCarthy has turned 23 years old as of 2026. He just celebrated his birthday last month.
Educational Background
To complete his high school education, JJ McCarthy attended Nazareth Academy (LaGrange Park) and IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida). Both of these institutions are known for having a rich football culture. From 2021 to 2023, Jonathan pursued his college studies at the University of Michigan.
As a student, he participated in college football and became a main highlight of the Michigan Wolverines team. He learned leadership and refined his football gameplay. JJ helped his college football team win many titles along with a national championship trophy.
Family Members of JJ McCarthy
The name of his father is Jim McCarthy. Professionally, he is an employee in the logistics department. Jim is a former athlete who engaged in many sports during high school, such as football.
Jonathan’s mother is known to be Megan McCarthy and shebused to compete in the sport of figure skating. As of now, she is working as a healthcare staff. JJ is accompanied by two sisters named Caitlin and Morgan McCarthy respectively.
JJ McCarthy Girlfriend, Engagement, & Kids
The name of JJ McCarthy girlfriend is Katya Kuropas. They have been dating for a long time since high school. As of now, Katya is also his fiance as the couple were engaged in early 2024. They haven’t been married yet. Jonathan and Katya welcomed their first child on September 12, 2025. She gave birth to a son and his name is Rome Micah McCarthy. Towards the end of 2025, she revealed that they’ll be getting married very soon.
Career & Professional Journey
As his parents were former athletes, JJ had all the support he could wish for. His passion for American football was sparked very early. That’s why he attended high school institutions with reputable football training programs. This includes Nazareth Academy and IMG Academy. His professional journey began through high school matches and local youth football leagues. JJ McCarthy had many achievements already. When he entered the University of Michigan, his football career was boosted significantly. While playing for the college football team Michigan Wolverines, he gave exceptional performances.
As a talented quarterback, he led the college team towards victory multiple times. In the start, he finished with the score record of 27-1. With the leadership and talent of JJ McCarthy, the Michigan Wolverines were able to win three Big Ten championships. The team also emerged victorious in the 2023 CFP National Championship. Due to his college success and stardom as a quarterback, JJ was welcomed to the National Football League (NFL). Soon, he was selected and signed by the Minnesota Vikings. During his rookie year, Jonathan was unable to play due to an injury. McCarthy became the starter in his second NFL season and performed well.
JJ McCarthy Net Worth 2026
As of 2026, JJ McCarthy’s net worth has exceeded USD 2 million. During his NFL signing, he received a large sum of money along with a salary contract. Brand endorsements also contribute to Jonathan’s wealth. This star quarterback has worked with brands like Bose, Alo Yoga, Dunkin’ Donuts, Topps, and Essentia Water.
Social Media Handles
| Platform Name | Account Handle | Followers |
|---|---|---|
| @jjmccarthy | 665K+ | |
| X | @jjmccarthy09 | 140K+ |
| J.J.McCarthy | 49K+ |
Trivia, Favorites, and Lesser Known Facts
- To learn professional football, he attended the Nazareth Academy and the IMG Academy at a young age.
- According to sources, he sharpens his focus through meditation and yoga. He claims that it helps him stay mentally balanced.
- JJ McCarthy is also a philanthropist. So far, he has donated money to several hospitals for children.
- He’s well respected for establishing the JJ For The Kids Foundation.
- His skills as a football quarterback are not to be underestimated.
- Through his college experience, McCarthy has also emerged as a reliable leader.
- Katya and JJ McCarthy have been dating since high school. They even have a son together now.
- He helped his college football team Michigan Wolverines win multiple times.
- Both of his parents are former athletes and always supported McCarthy’s dreams.
FAQs
Which sports has he played so far?
Since the start, JJ McCarthy has only had interest in two sports i.e., football and hockey. However, he’s much more passionate about American football.
Who is JJ McCarthy girlfriend?
Her name is Katya Kuropas. Now, she’s also Jonathan’s fiance.
What is the real name of JJ McCarthy?
His full name is Jonathan James McCarthy
Who are his parents?
His parents are Jim and Megan McCarthy.
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