Bill Belichick speaks on Max Johnson's recovery during June media availability
Bill Belichick speaks on Max Johnson's recovery during June media availability Can Max Johnson overcome the odds and start one final season of college football?
The UNC football program made one of college football's top additions ahead of its 2024 season, snagging quarterback Max Johnson in the transfer portal.
Needing a Drake Maye replacement, North Carolina found its answer in the former LSU and Texas A&M starter. The Tar Heels also carried Conner Harrell on their roster, but Johnson's experience was too much for a bench role.
During UNC's 2024 opener, a 19-17 win against Minnesota that came down to a missed field goal, an injury cut Johnson's season short. No one knew what injury Johnson initially suffered during the game, but reports later revealed a broken right leg.
Johnson returns for one final season in 2025. On Tuesday during media availability at the Kenan Football Center in Chapel Hill, Tar Heels first-year head coach Bill Belichick delivered an update on Johnson's rehab – and it's a promising one.
"Max is doing, doing very well," Belichick said. "His rehab has been long, and I have a lot of admiration for him. It tough injury, but nobody's worked harder than he has, and he certainly is able to do a lot more than he was last spring. So we'll see exactly where he is when things start, but it's a whole lot closer, and we certainly expect to see him out there. So it's been very encouraging."
Johnson struggled against Minnesota's defense during the August 2024 season-opener, completing just 12-of-19 passes for 71 yards and throwing an interception, but Johnson did score North Carolina's lone touchdown on a 3-yard scramble.
There will be an intense competition for UNC's starting QB job this season. The Tar Heels paid $4 million – over two years – in NIL money to land South Alabama's Gio Lopez, while also recruiting 4-star Bryce Baker out of Kernersville, N.C.
Will Johnson enter his final season of college football as North Carolina's starter? His success at past stops points to yes, but that answer depends on Johnson's recovery.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
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