The North Carolina Tar Heels limped to a come-from-behind win against Minnesota in their 2024 season opener, but it came at a great cost. Starting QB Max Johnson went down with a significant lower-half injury in the third quarter, in the heat of the battle with the Gophers.
Johnson, who earned the start in the Tar Heels’ Week 1 opener after transferring in from Texas A&M, left the field on a cart, and the aftermath puts his career in jeopardy.
What Happened to Max Johnson?
Johnson’s injury didn’t look good from the get-go. On a third down, Johnson dropped back to pass but immediately felt pressure from a blitzing Minnesota safety.
Despite unleashing the pass on time, Johnson was hit as he threw, and his pass fell incomplete.
However, the result of the pass was a complete afterthought as the team looked back to see Johnson writhing on the ground in pain.
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Johnson stayed on the ground for some time, much to the dismay of those in attendance, including his father, former NFL QB Brad Johnson, before being removed on a cart.
Though the hit on the initial viewing didn’t look too violent, additional replay angles showcased what made the injury so scary for Johnson’s lower half in the long term.
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The end zone angle gave television viewers the most unfortunate view of the injury, as Johnson’s leg clearly buckles as he crumbles to the ground.
It was later revealed that the injury was to the right leg of Johnson. The UNC QB underwent a successful surgery to repair the broken leg, but it was stated he would miss the remainder of the season.
UNC QB Max Johnson underwent successful surgery in Minneapolis to repair a broken right leg on Friday, per UNC spokesman. He will return to Chapel Hill in a few days and is expected to make a full recovery. Johnson will miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) August 30, 2024
It was certainly not a malicious tackle in any sense, but the end result certainly sent shockwaves through the UNC roster.
Conner Harrell replaced Johnson on the drive as Johnson’s third-down pass was eventually overturned thanks to a defensive holding play, and the drive continued. Harrell led the Tar Heels down the field for a field goal, inching closer to Minnesota in the process.
Harrell then finished the job by leading the Tar Heels to an eventual game-winning field goal by Noah Burnette, but only after Minnesota’s own game-winning attempt went just slightly right of the uprights as time expired.
Following the game, head coach Mack Brown yielded little in the way of hope, or even knowledge, stating that Johnson was at the hospital and ‘wasn’t sure how badly he was hurt.’
“I hate that Max got hurt for him and for us. Conner [has] got to come on,” Brown said.
Johnson finished the game with 71 passing yards and a score on the ground, while Harrell finished the night 2-of-4 passing for 34 yards. It was a sloppy game that was delayed by a rain delay to start and finished with an even sloppier showing by both offenses.
Following the aftermath of a broken leg, it’s safe to assume Johnson’s career could be in jeopardy. However, Johnson stated following successful surgery that he would indeed return to the field.
“I have a lot of football left in me,” Johnson told ESPN’s Pete Thamel. “Know I will be back out there next year.”
As a grad student, Johnson has extended his college football career more than most quarterbacks do in a short time. Johnson is a member of the Class of 2020, a former three-star recruit, and has now played for three different marquee programs.
He started his college football journey at LSU before transferring to Texas A&M and ultimately now to North Carolina. Where he goes following a broken leg is in the air, in the era of the transfer portal, but it sure seems like he’s ready to return to UNC.
“These last eight days have been a serious grind and it has taken a lot to get to other side and start the recovery process,” Johnson’s full statement to Thamel stated. “I want to thank Dr. Templeman and his team, the nurses and support staff at Hennepin County Medical Center who took amazing care of me.”
“Thank you to UNC Head Coach Mack Brown, the coaching staff, and trainers who have encouraged and supported me. Thank you to family and friends who have prayed and supported me during this time and, ultimately, my Lord and Savior, that pulled me through.”
Johnson then expressed remorse for sitting on the sidelines but let his intentions to root for his Tar Heel teammates be known.
“It will be hard to sit on the sidelines,” Johnson said. “In the meantime, I’ll be there every day supporting my teammates and helping out as much as I can. I appreciate all the love and support from the fans – #GoHeels.”
Brock Huard Gets Emotional On Max Johnson’s Injury
During the broadcast, it was clear that Brock Huard is both a father and a former quarterback. The Fox color commentator left it all in the broadcast booth, giving an emotional call about Johnson’s injury and subsequent gut-wrenching shots of Johnson’s parents—Brad and Nikki—as they watched in every parent’s worst nightmare when their child is playing the sport they love.
“My mom was a 3-time QB mom, it’s a hard job… every eyeball judges a QB on every single play and moms carry that weight.”@BrockHuard gets emotional while watching Max Johnson’s mom in tears after her son exited the game due to injury 💔 pic.twitter.com/PJuMsn7pCV
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 30, 2024
Huard’s raw emotional commentary drew praise as he shed just that—an emotional light on the joy and potential sorrow that football families experience.
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