Chip Lindsey evaluates UNC's backup quarterbacks behind Drake Maye

Drake Maye‘s extraordinary season last year solidified him as North Carolina‘s unquestioned starter headed into the 2023 season. But who will back him up? The competition for the Tar Heels backup quarterback spot is open, and new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Chip Lindsey pulled back the curtain on how it’s looking so far during spring practice, starting with Conner Harrell.

“We’re making some progress. I think Connor obviously a little more experienced, been here a little longer, I see him really getting better. Like the last couple of times out I think he’s making better decisions and getting the ball out of his hand on time, which is a key,” Lindsey said. “A lot of times young quarterbacks will hold the ball some and we’ve really worked hard on that. Also I think there’s certain things Connor does really well that we got to continue to try to do from a game plan standpoint if he were playing.”

Harrell was redshirted last season after early enrolling during the spring of 2021. The former three-star prospect from Alabaster, Alabama was ranked the No. 29 quarterback in the 2022 class according to On3’s Industry Rankings. Harrell may lack collegiate game experience, but so does newly enrolled quarterback Tad Hudson, who joined the team this spring.

“And then obviously Tad has come in as a true freshman, really should be in high school still, and some days he doesn’t look like that and some days he kind of looks like he’s new still figuring it all out,” Lindsey said. “Because every day is somewhat of a new scenario or maybe some new install or something but I like his progress. He is studying, he’s making some mistakes, but he’s not repeating them which is always a good thing.”

The most experienced QB of the bunch is junior Jefferson Boaz, who is also the only one of the group to have thrown a pass in a game, completing his lone three yard pass attempt versus Western Carolina in 2020.

“And then Jefferson Boaz too I think is coming along. Boaz has been around here for a long time and at least you got some confidence, you feel like he can go in and execute the offense and get us in communication wise and get us in the right play and so forth,” Lindsay said.

Outside of Maybe, North Carolina’s quarterback room may lack experience, but so did Maye before he made his splash on the scene last season.

“I think we’re making progress from that standpoint, but really not ready now to have a pecking order yet other than those guys will continue to get reps the rest of the way through,” Lindsay concluded.