Max Johnson to Return to North Carolina in 2025 After Season-Ending Leg Injury

Tar Heels Quarterback Expected to Make Full Recovery

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina quarterback Max Johnson will return to the Tar Heels in 2025 after suffering a season-ending leg injury in Saturday's game against Duke. Johnson, a transfer from LSU, started the first four games of the season for UNC before going down with a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee.

Johnson underwent surgery on Monday and is expected to make a full recovery. He will begin rehab immediately and is expected to be ready for spring practice in 2025.

What Johnson's Injury Means for UNC

Johnson's injury is a big blow to the Tar Heels, who are now without their starting quarterback for the rest of the season. Redshirt freshman Drake Maye will take over as the starter, and he will be backed up by sophomore Jacolby Criswell.

Maye has played well in relief of Johnson this season, completing 60% of his passes for 453 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. He also has rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns.

Criswell has not played this season, but he was a highly-touted recruit out of high school. He was the No. 1 quarterback in the state of North Carolina and the No. 20 quarterback in the nation in the 2022 recruiting class.

Johnson's Future with UNC

Johnson is expected to be fully recovered from his injury by the time spring practice begins in 2025. He will then compete with Maye and Criswell for the starting quarterback job.

If Johnson is healthy, he will be the favorite to win the starting job. He has more experience than Maye and Criswell, and he has shown that he can be a productive quarterback in the ACC.

However, if Johnson is not fully recovered from his injury, Maye or Criswell could seize the opportunity and win the starting job. Both players have shown that they have the potential to be successful quarterbacks at UNC.