JJ McCarthy may be the star of the University of Michigan football team, but off the field he has an important MVP by his side: his girlfriend, Katya Kuropas.
The Michigan quarterback started dating Kuropas while they were both still in high school at Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park, Illinois. On their second anniversary in October 2020, McCarthy posted a sweet tribute to his girlfriend on his Instagram.
“They say that when a man finds the right woman for himself, he can achieve anything,” he wrote in the description. “I am blessed and grateful to have found the right one at such a young age. I am honored to have spent 2 years of my life with the woman of my dreams and excited for the years to come.”
After committing to Michigan, McCarthy continued to date Kuropas, who supported her boyfriend in the stands throughout his career — including the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship where Michigan defeated the Washington Huskies.
So who is JJ McCarthy’s girlfriend? Here’s everything you need to know about Katya Kuropas and her relationship with the athlete.
They met in high school
JJ McCarthy with Katya Kuropas.
JJ McCarthy/Instagram
McCarthy and Kuropas began dating on October 8, 2018, when he was a sophomore in high school. Although he transferred from Nazareth Academy to IMG Academy due to the cancellation of Nazareth’s football season during the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple remained together.
On their third anniversary in 2021, McCarthy expressed his gratitude for Kuropas’ unwavering support in an Instagram post.
“3 trips around the sun with the love of my life,” he wrote in the caption. “Honestly, I don’t even know where I would be without this girl in my life. I just don’t deserve her for the woman she is. The purity in her heart and soul is just one of the many qualities that make this girl so amazing.”
They have been in a relationship for more than five years
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(711x143:713x145)/jj-mccarthy-girlfriend-010524-2-57c922360a764fc892584603e19c8c49.jpg)
JJ McCarthy with Katya Kuropas.
JJ McCarthy/Instagram
After McCarthy graduated from high school in 2021, he began his college career at Michigan that fall. He officially became the team’s starting quarterback in 2022, and Kuropas has been by his side through it all.
The couple celebrated their fifth anniversary in October 2023 while McCarthy was a freshman in college. The Michigan Star posted a tribute to Kuropas in honor of the day, calling her his “queen,” along with photos of the two of them hugging on a boat and some throwback photos of Kuropas when she was younger.
“1825 days with the love of my life, but a million moments that I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life,” he wrote. “I couldn’t be more grateful for who you are and everything you do! You make me the best version of myself and it has been a complete blessing to watch you continually grow into the amazing woman you are.”
She supports him in his games
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(561x0:563x2)/jj-mccarthy-girlfriend-010524-3-62b50d585e054ab3bd62c839d57a35c4.jpg)
JJ McCarthy with Katya Kuropas.
JJ McCarthy/Instagram
Kuropas was a mainstay in the stadiums at McCarthy’s games, often showing up in blue and yellow to cheer on the Wolverines. She documents her festive outfits on her VSCO.
In January 2024, Michigan defeated the Washington Huskies to secure their first national championship win since 1997. McCarthy celebrated by kissing his girlfriend after the big game.
“I am so proud of you my love. Words cannot describe. You did it!” Kuropas wrote on Instagram. To which McCarthy replied, “I wouldn’t be here without you.”
They like to travel together
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(683x137:685x139)/jj-mccarthy-girlfriend-010524-6-eae9c7942f4741b29f620fa6bc01e0fa.jpg)
JJ McCarthy with Katya Kuropas.
JJ McCarthy/Instagram
In July 2023, Kuropas posted a picture of her and McCarthy on a boat on his VSCO — which he later also shared in his fifth anniversary post for her. Last year, the two traveled together to the mountain tops, where they posed for a sweet photo in front of the beautiful view.
She met his family
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(708x126:710x128)/jj-mccarthy-girlfriend-010524-1-674c319dda1d46be8ef22afa254c524d.jpg)
JJ McCarthy/Instagram
Kuropas met McCarthy’s family and even joined them on the sidelines. During the 2022 New Year’s Eve game, Kuropas cheered McCarthy along with his parents.
Although the Wolverines lost the game, ESPN followed McCarthy’s family several times during the broadcast as they cheered on the quarterback.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education