Max Johnson gives a self-evaluation of his game

New North Carolina quarterback Max Johnson is in line to take over the starting gig from one of the most dynamic signal callers in the sport and likely Top 5 NFL draft pick Drake Maye.

And though the former LSU and Texas A&M signal caller might not be quite the high-end talent that Maye is, he’s shown plenty of ability to marshal a plenty effective college offense through his years. Johnson himself explained some of what he brings to the table for the Tar Heels while speaking with reporters recently.

“I’d say I’m a pro-style quarterback that can run when needed to,” Johnson said. “I think I can make plays all over the field, whether that’s throw it deep, throw it intermediate or throw it short. I think I’ve been able to do all those things since I’ve been in college.”

The biggest issue for Johnson in four years of college football has been staying on the field consistently. After redshirting in 2020 as a true freshman, he’s played in 12 games just one season, his sophomore season at LSU in 2021. In 2022 and 2023 at Texas A&M, Johnson played in 12 combined games, largely due to various injuries.

But when he did play a full 12-game slate, Johnson showed some real quarterbacking ability. He threw for 2815 yards and 27 touchdowns to six interceptions while completing 60.3% of his passes that year in his first extended college starting action.

And after four years kicking around college football, Johnson is well versed in the menu of coverages and pressures that defenses will throw his way.

“I think I’m very accurate and I can understand defenses, as well,” Johnson said. “I’ve done a good job of kind of not turning the ball over and making the plays when they’re needed, too.” 

Draft analysts are very high on Maye coming out of North Carolina

There is plenty of debate about who the No. 2 quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft should be behind Caleb Williams. However, Joel Klatt of Fox Sports believes it’s a simple answer. According to Klatt, Maye is the second-best quarterback, behind only Williams, and no one else is close.

Klatt recently shared that opinion on a video where he ranked his top 5 quarterbacks for the upcoming NFL draft.

“Drake Maye is as good as I’ve seen in a long, long time,” Klatt said. “Let me put it to you very simply – if it wasn’t for Caleb Williams, Drake Maye would be the slam dunk No. 1 pick in this draft. And I don’t think it’s that close. I think that these two guys are separated from the rest of the quarterback pack, even some of these other really good players.”