J.J. McCarthy's fiancée calls Minnesota home as QB touches base with Vikings

J.J. McCarthy has added a first-round draft pick to his growing list of achievements in 2024. The former Michigan Wolverines quarterback and his fiancée, Katya Kuropas, jetted off to Minnesota this weekend to start their next chapter with the Vikings, who selected McCarthy as the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night.

Kuropas re-shared a photo that the quarterback posted on Instagram. The two stood in front of a private plane that had a Minnesota Vikings welcome mat at the bottom of the steps. Kuropas added a purple heart and called Minnesota "home."

"Home," she wrote.

J.J. McCarthy and his fiancée Katya Kuropas arrived in Minnesota.

McCarthy donned a black suit with a purple tie and his Vikings draft hat. As for Kuropas, she wore a Minnesota Vikings bomber jacket as they arrived in Minneapolis for the first time.

The couple celebrated J.J. McCarthy's draft night experience in Michigan, surrounded by friends and family as well as their beloved dog, Marley.

J.J. McCarthy's fiancée Katya bids farewell to Michigan ahead of Vikings draft pick

J.J. McCarthy was a two-year starter for the Michigan Wolverines and led them to an undefeated season and a national championship in 2023. Just hours before he saw his NFL dreams realized and he was selected by the Minnesota Vikings, his high school sweetheart and fiancée, Katya Kuropas, reflected on last season.

She shared the amazing moments she experienced during the Wolverines' 2023 season and the once-in-a-lifetime memories that were made. The University of Michigan alum expressed her love and appreciation for everyone who was involved.

"Extremely delayed but… Reminiscing on how amazing this past season was," Kuropas wrote. "An abundance of blessings and the best memories. 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🫶🏽"

Along with her sentimental caption, Katya Kuropas also shared several photos from the last college football season as she supported the former Wolverines quarterback.

Kuropas and McCarthy met in high school while attending Nazareth Academy in LaGrange, Illinois. The couple has been together for five years, and this past January, just weeks after hoisting the national championship trophy, the quarterback proposed.