UNC's quarterback situation among college football's top battles
When Max Johnson transferred into UNC from Texas A&M, the initial thought was his experience would be enough to land him the starting job.
North Carolina also has Conner Harrell, who despite delivering mixed results in the Duke's Mayo Bowl last December, showed flashes of brilliance in the Campbell game last season and this year's spring game.
And don't forget about Jacolby Criswell. He was a Tar Heel from 2020-2022 and transferred to his home state, Arkansas, last season. Now he is back in Chapel Hill.
The three quarterbacks are entrenched in a deep competition, and UNC head coach Mack Brown remains undecided on his Week 1 starter.
North Carolina's QB competition isn't just big within the program, it was also recently named one of USA Today's Top 7 battles, entering the 2014 season.
"Harrell replaced Drake Maye for last year's bowl loss to West Virginia, showing off both a big arm and the need for more seasoning," USA Today's Paul Myerberg wrote. "That led Mack Brown and UNC to pull in a pair of transfers: Criswell, who began his career with the Tar Heels before losing a competition to Maye and leaving for Arkansas, and Johnson, a reliable and productive starter at LSU and Texas A&M. Johnson threw 35 touchdowns against eight interceptions in two years with the Tigers and had five 200-yard games in a row for A&M in 2023 before suffering a season-ending injury in early November."
The Tar Heels have until Thursday, Aug. 29 – when they face Minnesota in their 2024 season-opener – to name a starter.
Does UNC go with experience and proven talent, a rising star or a program veteran eager for one final opportunity?
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : UNC's quarterback situation among college football's top battles
