When Max Johnson went down with a season-ending injury last Thursday night, his future with the Tar Heels and in college football was in question. Earlier today, though, he spoke with ESPN and put to rest any speculation on what he will be doing moving forward.
ESPN senior college football writer Pete Thamel is reporting that Johnson plans to return to the program next year and play out the remainder of his two years of eligibility.
Earlier this week, Tar Heel head coach Mack Brown spoke to the media in Chapel Hill and said that Johnson was having a second procedure done on his right leg and that it was going to extend his time in Minneapolis. In terms of his return to Chapel Hill, Brown said he is uncertain. “He may be back in a week. It may be two weeks.”
Brown also said that he is looking forward to getting Johnson back on the sidelines this season. As he rehabs, Brown hopes for him to serve as a player coach and provide some help with the quarterbacks.
The good news for Johnson is that he is a prime candidate for a medical redshirt after playing in just one game this year. If he gets it, he will have two years of eligibility remaining.
As first reported by Inside Carolina last Friday, Johnson will miss the remainder of the 2024 season after having the initial surgery on a broken femur on Friday morning. The injury occurred late in the third quarter of last Thursday’s game on an incompletion intended for Paul Billups II where he was being pressured and had his right leg fallen on by Minnesota corner Justin Walley.
The injury came as Johnson was settling into the game after a rough first half. Heading into the locker room at halftime, he was just 4-10 for 28 yards and an interception. In his final two drives of the game after coming out of the half, he was 8-10 for 43 yards and helped lead the team down for a field goal on a drive that took 8:21 off the clock. Unfortunately, he will finish his first season with the Tar Heels with 71 yards and an interception on 12-19 passing and a rushing touchdown.
For the time being, the Tar Heels are turning to Conner Harrell who replaced him and helped lead the team to the win last night. While Harrell may not have been great last night (2-4, 35 yds, 3 rush, -3 yds), the game plan did not seem to be set up for him like it was for last year’s bowl game. The hope is that with a week to prepare and a beatable Charlotte team coming to Chapel Hill for the home opener, he’ll be able to show us the potential that he did in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. If he struggles again, don’t be shocked if the staff starts working to try to get Jacolby Criswell ready to compete in the near future.
Comments