Max Johnson, Conner Harrell discuss UNC QB battle at ACC Kickoff: ‘It is what it is’

The ACC — the self-proclaimed “Conference of Quarterbacks” — hosted 19 signal-callers at the 2024 ACC Kickoff in Charlotte. North Carolina was one of three schools, alongside Cal and Duke, who brought two quarterbacks to the preseason media event.

But UNC left one at home.

Graduate transfer Max Johnson and sophomore quarterback Conner Harrell — two contestants in this season of UNC’s Next Top Quarterback — fielded questions Thursday about their competition for the starting role. Jacolby Criswell, who transferred back to UNC this spring after a season at Arkansas, is the third and most recent contestant. He was not present.

It’s the latest in a saga of Tar Heel quarterback battles. Drake Maye vs. Criswell. Chazz Surratt vs. Nathan Elliott. Marquise Williams vs. Mitch Trubisky. And on and on. The man who emerges from this trio will follow NFL talents and Carolina record-holders in Maye and Sam Howell.

By all accounts, the race is still tight. And while it might be an annoyance to the participants, the curiosity surrounding the next successor has clearly peaked.

“Of course we don’t want to hear it forever,” Johnson said. “But it’s a part of where we are and what we’re doing right now.”

After discussing their situation at an ACC Kickoff news conference, Harrell and Johnson walked to a nearby breakout room for more questions. More inquiries about their spring practice battles. More ways to phrase, “Hey, is it awkward at all?”

Harrell and Johnson spoke side by side. The pure theatrics of it — the two confined to one table while the rest of their teammates spread out around the room — caused a stir among reporters. It caught the attention of senior wideout J.J. Jones, too.

“No way they have them at the same table!” he laughed before making a beeline to witness the scene himself.

Despite the buzz, Harrell and Johnson spoke with an air of nonchalance. Johnson said quarterback battles are “a part of college football.” Both confirmed they have a “great relationship” and congenially discussed their frequent golf outings and driving-range trips.

They offered scouting reports, each touting the other’s deep ball. Johnson said Harrell broke the defense in spring practice “probably 10-15 times” with his QB draw. Harrell said he’d advise against defenses sitting back in the zone, where Johnson can pick apart opponents.

The two also spoke with great poise about Criswell. The former North Carolina quarterback announced his return in late April, further complicating the quarterback conundrum.

Johnson and Harrell said offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey brought them each into the quarterback room individually to break the news before it went public.

“We feel like it is what it is and it’s going to benefit our team,” Harrell said.

Senior linebacker Power Echols was more frank.

“I was just like, ‘That’s interesting, for real,’” Echols said. “It’s going to be a hell of a battle, honestly.”

This year’s three-way battle is a throwback to 2019. In Mack Brown’s first season back at the helm at UNC, Howell beat out redshirt freshmen Jace Ruder and Cade Fortin for the starting job.

Brown has experience with this scenario, and he’s also split snaps between quarterbacks in the past. That, too, has worked. But at this point, Brown is still focused on finding his starter.

The Tar Heels broke down situations in practice Wednesday. Brown rotated Criswell, Harrell and Johnson behind center to put each in “as many game-type situations as we can.”

Then he delivered individualized feedback. You held the ball too long. You took some quarterback sacks. You threw an interception. You can’t do that. Protect the ball. Make better decisions.

Brown said the coaching staff has to “grade ‘em hard every day.”

“We’ve got to make this very clear — here’s what you have to do to be the starter,” Brown said.

And while UNC’s next quarterback will replace Maye, the role will arguably be different. Because amid all the quarterback battle buzz at ACC Kickoff, the North Carolina offense will run, literally, through Omarion Hampton.

The Clayton, N.C., kid with the quiet voice and explosive on-field ability will inevitably be the focal point of opposing defenses. Brown fully expects teams to “stack the box” against the Doak Walker Award finalist, thus helping the quarterback-who-must-eventually-be-named.

The passing game simplifies. In a spread offense, the Tar Heels’ receiving corps can take advantage of mismatches.

“And then what we’ve got to do is figure out, is it Max?” Brown said. “Is it Conner? Is it Jacolby? And what do they do best?”

Fall camp begins in a few days. Both Harrell and Johnson feel their play is separated — just as the two were, physically speaking, in Charlotte — by mere inches.

Johnson said he’s received no indication from coaches as to how long the battle will continue. Harrell shook his head in agreement. Criswell is likely in the same spot.

In line with precedent, Brown and Lindsey should hand down their decision in late August — the week of UNC’s season opener at Minnesota.

But, until then, there’s a whole lot more “healthy competition” set to take place.