The North Carolina Tar Heels football program is facing challenges as they prepare for the 2024 season. With quarterback Drake Maye, who was selected third overall in the 2024 NFL draft by the New England Patriots, leaving the team, UNC is on the hunt for a new leader on offense. This marks the first time since the 2018 season that UNC will not have a quarterback named Maye or Sam Howell at the helm.
As summer approaches, UNC has yet to name a starting quarterback. Max Johnson, a transfer portal pickup, Conner Harrell, the 2023 backup, and former quarterback Jacolby Criswell are among the contenders for the position. The uncertainty surrounding this position has raised questions about how UNC will succeed in the upcoming season.
Blake Brockermeyer of CBS Sports analyzed the quarterback situations of teams that had a quarterback taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft and ranked UNC’s situation fourth among six teams. Johnson is expected to fill in for Maye and has shown promise with his ability to make accurate throws at all levels of play and high football IQ. However, concerns have been raised about his inconsistent pocket presence and average release time.
The success of UNC’s 2024 season will heavily depend on Johnson’s performance at quarterback. While there is pressure to replace Maye’s success, expectations are not as high for him to replicate it entirely. Nonetheless, he must guide the team effectively and lead them to victories. Stay tuned for more coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes, and opinions by following us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and liking our page on Facebook.
