J.J. McCarthy kisses fiancée Katya Kuropas after Vikings pick during 2024 NFL Draft
J.J. McCarthy and his fiancée, Katya Kuropas, are living a real-life fairytale.
The couple shared a sweet moment after the former Michigan quarterback was selected by the Vikings with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night.
McCarthy, 21, and Kuropas shared a hug and a kiss when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced his name from the stage in Detroit.
The pair celebrated from with loved ones at home in Van Buren Township, Michigan, according to the NFL Network broadcast.
The life-changing moment came a few months after McCarthy led the Wolverines to a national title — when top seed Michigan beat No. 2 Washington, 34-13, at NRG Stadium in January.
Two weeks later, the 21-year-old McCarthy proposed to Kuropas and they announced the news in a joint Instagram post.
The couple, who began dating when they both were in high school at Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park, Ill, celebrated their fifth year of dating in October 2023.
Kuropas shared her excitement for this next chapter in a note on Instagram ahead of Thursday’s draft.
“Extremely delayed but… Reminiscing on how amazing this past season was. An abundance of blessings and the best memories,” Kuropas wrote. “Feeling so grateful for everything that unfolded & for everyone that was part of it!! Sad to see this chapter go, but excited for the next one.”
McCarthy was a wild card heading into the draft.
During an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show” Wednesday, the quarterback was asked if he had an idea of where he would land in the draft and he briefly mentioned the Vikings.
McCarthy had personal visits with the Giants, Patriots and Commanders ahead of the draft, and told Eisen he had spent the most time with New York and their “phenomenal” coaching staff.
After all that, McCarthy landed with the quarterback-needy Vikings.
Minnesota traded up one pick with the Jets, from No. 11 to No. 10, to select McCarthy — and sent the No. 11 pick, a fourth-round pick (No. 129) and a fifth-rounder (No. 157) to New York.
The Vikings also got a sixth-round pick (No. 203) in return.
McCarthy was the fifth quarterback selected in this year’s first round.
