Mack Brown Reveals Surprise UNC QB Plan for 2024 Season
By Jovan Alford
The North Carolina Tar Heels are scheduled to open up Week 1 of the 2024 season next week on the road against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
The Tar Heels will usher in a new era at quarterback this season after Drake Maye was selected with the third overall pick by the New England Patriots in the 2024 NFL Draft. North Carolina entered fall camp with three potential starting options – Max Johnson, Connor Harrell, and Jacoby Criswell.
However, Johnson and Harrell stood out as the top two options for head coach Mack Brown, but neither quarterback has been able to pull away and claim the job. With many teams around the country naming their starting quarterbacks, UNC fans were anxiously waiting to see who Brown would go with against the Golden Gophers.
Mack Brown Reveals Unique QB Plan
On Friday, Brown announced his decision at quarterback and his reasoning left the Tar Heel fanbase puzzled.
According to Ross Martin of 247Sports, Brown told reporters he would like to see both QBs play against Minnesota and all season.
#UNC's Mack Brown says that they would like to play two quarterbacks vs. Minnesota, depending on how the season goes.
— Ross Martin (@RossMartinNC) August 23, 2024
Brown adds they would like to play two quarterbacks all season.
"I'd to see both play."
This seems significant.
This answer from Brown was puzzling as the old saying goes that if you have two QBs, you actually have none. For the Tar Heels to be successful this season in the ACC, they cannot run a two-quarterback system with Harrell and Johnson.
When asked for clarification about his answer, the veteran head coach said that Johnson and Harrell are “both good enough to win.” Brown added that it will depend on the game flow. And they will go with what’s working and who gives them the best chance to win.
Mack Brown tries to clarify the QB situation heading into the Minnesota game...
— Ross Martin (@RossMartinNC) August 23, 2024
Re: Max Johnson / Connor Harrell: "They are both good enough to win."
Mack says it will depend on game flow. They will go with what is working during the game, who gives them the best chance to win.
Harrell played sparingly in the regular season last year but started in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against the West Virginia Mountaineers. The 6-foot-2 quarterback completed 18-of-27 passes for 199 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. He also had 25 yards on 17 carries.
As for Johnson, he spent the last two seasons at Texas A&M after starting his collegiate career at LSU. Last season with the Aggies, he completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 1,452 yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Both quarterbacks bring a different element to the position, which likely intrigues Brown, who had Sam Howell and Maye over the last few seasons. However, they must have a defined starter before the first month of the regular season finishes.
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