J.J. McCarthy, the man anointed by Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh as the greatest quarterback in program history, will not return to Ann Arbor for a senior season.

McCarthy announced Sunday via social media that he will forego his final year of eligibility with the Wolverines and enter his name into the 2024 NFL draft (which will be held in Detroit), ending his stellar collegiate career.

"Forever a Michigan Man," McCarthy posted with a blue heart and prayer hands accompanying a long message.

In his farewell, McCarthy shared how he spoke to "many in and out of football including my family (and) coach Harbaugh" as he weighed this decision, but ultimately decided to say goodbye. That doesn't change how much "I love my teammates, I love my coaches and I love my time here in Ann Arbor," he said.

MICHIGAN CELEBRATION HIGHLIGHTS: Warde Manuel 'working' to get Jim Harbaugh new deal

Michigan went 40-3 during McCarthy's tenure, and he was a three-year letter-winner and two-year starter. He went 27-1 the past two seasons as a starter, and his career included consecutive wins over Michigan State and three straight over Ohio State and Penn State, three consecutive outright Big Ten championships for the first time in program history, and its first three College Football Playoff semifinal appearances.

After suffering disappointing losses to end the 2021 season (34-11 to Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl) and the 2022 season (51-45 to TCU in the CFP semifial at the Fiesta Bowl), McCarthy vowed to bring the Wolverines to the top of the mountain in 2023.

It's exactly what he did, as he and the program's six senior captains led the charge from the offseason through Saturday's parade and celebration event at Crisler Center: U-M became just the fourth FBS champion to go 15-0.

THE BEST: Celebrate Michigan's national championship with Detroit Free Press books and front pages!

McCarthy, of course, was a major part of that success. The junior completed 208 of 332 passes (72.3%) for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions; he finished No. 3 in the nation in QBR (88.3) and also had 64 rushes for 202 yards and another three scores.

McCarthy finishes atop the program's charts in career completion percentage (67.6%) and career efficiency rating (161.6), while he finished No. 4 all time in passing touchdowns (49), No. 4 in completions in a single season (240), No. 6 all-time in passing yards (6,226) and, most importantly, No. 1 in winning percentage (.964) as a starting QB.

Questions about his future have circled McCarthy all season, but when Harbaugh approached him about it during bowl prep, the junior said he wanted to stay locked in on the task at hand. Harbaugh told the Free Press on Friday he had recently had discussions with McCarthy about his future, as well as a number of players, and last month did confirm his own sentiments about where the junior stands in his career arc.

"I can't lie and say I don't think he's NFL-ready," Harbaugh said in December. "I very much think he's NFL-ready."

The question now is, who else does? McCarthy has been widely projected to go in the first round in NFL mock drafts — USA TODAY's mock has him going No. 13 to the Raiders, ESPN has him going No. 12 to the Broncos — but it's a noticeably deep draft for QBs.

This quarterback class is led by USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye, but also features QBs such as Oregon's Bo Nix and Washington's Michael Penix Jr.

McCarthy attempted more than 23 passes in a game just three times this season. Still, he had moments within games: Take the final drive of regulation against Alabama in the CFP semifinal in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. He ran for 16 yards and completed three of four passes for 60 yards and the game-tying touchdown to Roman Wilson with 94 seconds left.

McCarthy's departure was always seen as a possibility and in the end, for as much of a team-first player as he's been throughout his career, it shouldn't be seen as much of a surprise, capping a mighty three-year run with last Monday's CFP championship.

When McCarthy spoke at Crisler Center on Saturday evening, he sounded like a young man, still 20, who wanted to express his gratitude before taking the biggest step of his life.

"I just want to let you guys know that no matter what decision comes with this, Michigan will forever be in my heart," he said. "I will be proud to be known as a Michigan man. I love you all. Go Blue."

In the end, McCarthy proved Harbaugh needed the right quarterback to win at Michigan.

WINNERS OFF THE FIELD: Michigan football shares championship vibes with families at Mott Children’s Hospital

Not a transfer developed in another program (Jake Rudock), not a big body (Wilton Speight), not the Illinois transfer (Brandon Peters), not a pro-style recruit from Texas (John O'Korn), not a ballyhooed five-star transfer (Shea Patterson), not a tempting athlete with a cannon for an arm (Joe Milton) and not even the man who got U-M to its first Big Ten title in 17 years (Cade McNamara).

McCarthy was that guy and nothing will ever change that. But now, it's time for his next step.

"The University of Michigan is the greatest University in the world," McCarthy said. "All I can say is THANK YOU. Thank you for believing in us, for believing in me and for all you do for this great University."

Also declaring for the NFL draft over the weekend: Wilson, a senior wide receiver, senior running back Blake Corum, senior defensive back Josh Wallace, senior edge rusher Jaylen Harrell, senior defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, graduate student offensive lineman Drake Nugent, graduate student defensive back German Green and senior defensive end Braiden McGregor.

Michigan fans! Celebrate the national title with our two commemorative books: "Blue Reign: The Story of the 2023 Michigan Wolverines' Legendary Run to the National Championship" and "Maize & Grand: Michigan’s Epic March to the 2023 National Title" — Preorder now to save! You can also buy a commemorative copy of the front page of the Detroit Free Press from the morning after U-M's historic championship victory, and purchase our four-page special Stadium Section.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: J.J. McCarthy leaving Michigan football as he declares for NFL draft