Jacolby Criswell details his approach to quarterback competitions

The North Carolina Tar Heels junior quarterback Jacolby Criswell is locked in a heated battle with sophomore Drake Maye to start next season. And during a recent interview, Criswell details his approach to the quarterback competition and answers the question of whether he is okay splitting time with Maye as the starter in 2022.

“So, my dad was my high school coach freshman year,” said Criswell. “I go up there expecting I have to compete for this job… and I felt like I was better. One day, I was mad at my dad and was like dad, why am I not starting? He said you gotta compete. I’m just not gonna hand it to you.”

Similar to the situation Criswell went through with his father as a freshman, it does not appear as if Tar Heels head coach Mack brown plans on anointing him the starter. In fact, Brown plans on using as much time over the summer as possible to come up with a decision.

Another option on the table for North Carolina is to go with a dual quarterback system. If they do so to start this season, it’ll give the coaches an opportunity to see how both Criswell and Maye perform in live game action. And if the Tar Heels end up going in that direction, it appears as if their junior quarterback is on board with that decision.

“We competed for the first three games, switching out,” said Criswell about his freshman year under his dad. “Everything went well. But I ended up performing better in the last three games, and the team went off from there… I don’t really mind it. I mean, whatever is best for the team. And whoever performs the best gets the job. And that’s how football is. It’s a business. I’m all for it.”

Criswell on not being affected by the competition

For Criswell to be a young quarterback in such a unique position, it appears he is handling it well and taking the right approach. But what makes him so comfortable in a situation filled with pressure? Well, according to him, he is utilizing habits he is seen during his time at North Carolina from former starting quarterback Sam Howell.

“I’m just a real relaxed type of guy. I kind of have some habits that Sam has, just go with it. I know what I’m capable of. On the mental side, I’m good with handling that by myself. I’ve grown up having mental stuff, and so I feel like I’m prepared for anything that comes my way. It’s nothing too big. We’re both prepared. We’re both good with what we’re doing, and I feel like it’s going in the right direction.

Regardless of how this situation plays out, Criswell sounds like he plans to remain on the team and not jump at the first chance to enter the transfer portal. Whether or not he will be the starter come game one is still up in the air. But it does sound like the junior quarterback will finish the season with the Tar Heels either way.