J.J. McCarthy and Katya Kuropas pose for a photo together in April 2024.
J.J. McCarthy and Katya Kuropas pose for a photo together in April 2024.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy began dating Katya Kuropas in high school
McCarthy proposed in January 2024
The athlete and Kuropas announced in May 2025 that they are expecting their first child together
The Minnesota Vikings quarterback began dating Kuropas while they were still in high school at Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park, Ill. The pair got engaged in January 2024, announcing the news on Instagram as they shared snapshots from their sweet photoshoot.
In May 2025, the soon-to-be-parents revealed in another Instagram post that their "sweet baby boy" would be arriving in September.
In honor of Kuropas' birthday in January 2025, McCarthy shared a heartfelt message to his "Queen" on Instagram, writing that there is "never a J without a K standing her ground behind him."
"She’s my everything - my muse, my rock, and the heart of my universe," he wrote. "For what is a flame without its wick. A Viking without a star to guide him. Thank you forever, my love, for never wavering when the inevitable storms arise on our voyage together."
So, who is J.J. McCarthy’s fiancée? Here’s everything to know about Katya Kuropas and her relationship with the athlete.
They met in high school
Who Is J.J. McCarthy's Girlfriend? All About Katya Kuropas
Who Is J.J. McCarthy's Girlfriend? All About Katya Kuropas
McCarthy and Kuropas began dating on Oct. 8, 2018, when he was a sophomore in high school. Though he transferred from Nazareth Academy to IMG Academy due to the cancellation of the football season at Nazareth during the COVID-19 pandemic, the pair stayed 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. “I honestly do not even know where I would be without this girl in my life. I simply do not deserve her because of the kind of woman she is. The pureness in her heart and soul is just one the many qualities that make this girl so incredible.”
They’ve been dating for over six years
Who Is J.J. McCarthy's Girlfriend? All About Katya KuropasWho Is J.J. McCarthy's Girlfriend? All About Katya Kuropas
J.J. McCarthy with Katya Kuropas.
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 pair celebrated their fifth anniversary in October 2023 while McCarthy was in his junior year of college. The former Michigan star posted a tribute to Kuropas in honor of the day, sharing photos of the two embracing on a boat and a throwback shot of Kuropas when she was younger.
“1,825 days with the love of my life but a million moments that will be remembered and cherished 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 continually watch you grow into the amazing woman you are.”
She’s supportive at his games
Who Is J.J. McCarthy's Girlfriend? All About Katya Kuropas
Who Is J.J. McCarthy's Girlfriend? All About Katya Kuropas
Kuropas has been a mainstay in the stadiums at McCarthy’s games, often showing up in blue and yellow to cheer on the Wolverines during his Michigan days. She documents her festive outfits on her VSCO.
In January 2024, Michigan beat the Washington Huskies to secure their first national championship win since 1997. McCarthy celebrated by kissing his then-girlfriend after the big game.
"I'm so proud of you, my love. Words can't describe. You did it!" Kuropas wrote on Instagram, to which McCarthy replied, "I wouldn't be here without you."
On the day before the 2024 NFL Draft, Kuropas shared a carousel of photos on Instagram of her time cheering her fiancé on while he played for Michigan.
"Extremely delayed but… Reminiscing on how amazing this past season was. 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🫶🏽," she wrote in her caption.
They love to travel together
Who Is J.J. McCarthy's Girlfriend? All About Katya KuropasWho Is J.J. McCarthy's Girlfriend? All About Katya Kuropas
J.J. McCarthy with Katya Kuropas.
In July 2023, Kuropas posted a picture of her and McCarthy on a boat on her VSCO — which he later also shared in his fifth-anniversary post for her. The previous year, the two traveled to the mountaintops together, where they posed for a sweet photo in front of a scenic view.
She has met his family
Who Is J.J. McCarthy's Girlfriend? All About Katya Kuropas
Who Is J.J. McCarthy's Girlfriend? All About Katya Kuropas
Kuropas has met McCarthy’s family and even joined them on the sidelines. During a New Year’s Eve game in 2022, Kuropas was cheering McCarthy on alongside his parents.
Though the Wolverines lost the game, ESPN panned to McCarthy’s family multiple times during the broadcast as they rooted for the quarterback.
They got engaged in January 2024
J.J. McCarthy and Katya Kuropas in April 2024.
Katya Kuropas/Instagram
McCarthy proposed to Kuropas on a beach on Jan. 20, 2024. The two announced their engagement — and their new pup Marley! — on Instagram in a joint post.
"Me, You & Marley Forever & Ever✨🤍," they wrote in the caption.
They are expecting a child together
J.J. McCarthy and Katya Kuropas on the beach in April 2025.
J.J. McCarthy and Katya Kuropas on the beach in April 2025.
In May 2025, McCarthy and Kuropas announced in a joint Instagram post that they were expecting their first child together.
"The best surprises come when you least expect them," they captioned the post. "Our sweet baby boy is arriving in September and we couldn’t be happier🩵🍼."
That June, Kuropas shared a video of her and McCarthy from their pregnancy announcement photoshoot, writing, "half of me + half of you ✨🤎."
McCarthy commented, "He already has the best mama in the world 🥰."
The next month, Kuropas shared snapshots from a photoshoot with McCarthy and their two dogs, writing, "Soon to be family of 5 🩶."