It’s apparent that the North Carolina Tar Heels are certainly looking to life next season without Drake Maye as they made quick work in the transfer portal to land commitment from former Texas A&M and LSU QB Max Johnson. Per reports, Johnson made a quick decision to commit to UNC and head coach Mack Brown on Wednesday.
Max Johnson to Transfer to North Carolina
The season didn’t go as planned for Texas A&M following a string of close losses and the loss of Conner Weigman to an injury. Johnson started each game from Week 5 through Week 10 with moderate success, throwing two touchdowns in relief against Auburn, two touchdowns in mop-up duty in Weeks 1-2, and only five touchdowns across those five starts.
He finished his two-year stint at Texas A&M following a Week 10 loss to Ole Miss and the subsequent firing of former head coach Jimbo Fisher by entering the transfer portal during the 30-day window for student-athletes to transfer following the firing of their head coach.
MORE: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
The actual transfer portal opens on December 4 for all FBS non-grad-transfers, but within that window from his head coach’s firing, Johnson entered the portal and has already committed to the Tar Heels.
According to Inside Carolina, Johnson made the news official on Wednesday, November 29.
Through his four-year career, Johnson has thrown 47 touchdowns across two years at A&M and two years at LSU. His best season came in 2021 with the Tigers, throwing 27 touchdowns against just six interceptions. He nearly crossed 3,000 yards that season for LSU as his left-handed throwing motion threw most defenses for a loop and presented a difficult challenge in the SEC.
He transfers to the Tar Heels, who are most likely losing potential No. 1 overall draft pick Drake Maye to the NFL.
Maye threw for 24 touchdowns in 2023 after throwing for 37 scores a season ago. He’s seen as the potential No. 1 overall pick, or at the very least, the second quarterback selected behind USC’s Caleb Williams.
By grabbing Johnson’s commitment, the Tar heels secure their future at the position for at least the 2024 season while they look to develop their next top-tier quarterback.