Tar Heels QB Receives Low Rankings: A Fire Ignited in Chapel Hill
CHAPEL HILL — The Carolina blue skies above Kenan Memorial Stadium were deceptive on Monday morning. What should have been a serene pre-season practice took on an edge, a crackle of electricity, after The Sporting News dropped its ACC quarterback rankings — placing North Carolina’s presumptive starter, Max Johnson, at a disappointing 12th out of 14.
Max Johnson, the 6-foot-5 graduate transfer from Texas A&M, arrived in Chapel Hill this offseason with something to prove. A former SEC starter with 5,853 career passing yards and 47 touchdowns under his belt, Johnson was expected to bring maturity, toughness, and game-tested leadership to a Tar Heels squad still reeling from the departure of Drake Maye. But the national media seems unconvinced.
In its preseason quarterback rankings, The Sporting News projected Johnson to win the job over sophomore Conner Harrell and true freshman Bryce Baker — then swiftly undercut that prediction by slotting him near the bottom of the ACC.
“He’s serviceable,” the article read, “but inconsistent. Johnson lacks the dynamism needed to elevate a middling UNC roster in transition.”
That phrase — lacks the dynamism — lit a spark.
“I saw it before we hit the weight room,” said senior wideout J.J. Jones. “Max walked in, no music, no smile. He didn’t have to say anything. We all knew what was up.”
The veteran quarterback didn’t speak publicly about the rankings, but inside the Tar Heels’ locker room, the message was clear: doubt fuels fire.
Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey dismissed the ranking as premature. “The Max I’ve seen in camp is a leader, a competitor, and a student of the game. He’s picking up the system fast, he’s taking care of the ball, and he’s building chemistry with our guys.”
Indeed, those who’ve watched Johnson closely during early workouts say the fit is beginning to click. His timing with transfer WR Devontez Walker is improving daily, and he’s shown particular strength in play-action, where his field vision and composure shine. Still, doubts linger from a spotty 2023 campaign where Johnson completed just 61% of his passes with 5 interceptions in 6 starts for the Aggies.
The Tar Heels open the season with a high-stakes neutral-site clash against South Carolina, a perfect opportunity for Johnson to silence critics and jumpstart his own ACC redemption arc.
“That 12th ranking?” said offensive lineman Diego Pounds. “Let ’em say what they want. We’ll see in Charlotte.”
For now, the underdog label may be exactly what Max Johnson needs. With his back against the wall and the ACC watching, the quarterback once billed as a safe option suddenly has something far more dangerous: a chip on his shoulder.
And for North Carolina, that could be just what the season needs.
