Former Texas A&M Aggies QB Max Johnson Transfers To North Carolina Tar Heels

Max Johnson is headed to Chapel Hill for his third stint as a potential starting quarterback.

Former Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson wasted little time in the transfer portal. He already has plans on where he intends to suit up for the 2024 season. 

Johnson announced via social media his commitment to North Carolina. The Tar Heels are expected to lose starting quarterback Drake Maye to the NFL draft after finishing 8-4. 

A native of Watkinsville, Georgia, Johnson will have two years of eligibility after only playing four games during the 2022 season. As a graduate transfer, Johnson will also have immediate eligibilty. 

Johnson replaced current Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King in Week 3 of the 2022 season and impressed under former coach Jimbo Fisher, but suffered a hand injury in Week 5 that sidelined him for the remainder of the year. 

After King transferred last offseason, Johnson battled with Conner Weigman for QB1 in fall camp. Weigman, who provided a spark for A&M in the final four games of the 2022 season, won the starting job, but suffered a season-ending lower-body injury in Week 4's win over Auburn. 

Johnson took over and kept the offense alive, completing 62.1 percent of his throws for 1,452 yards while scoring nine touchdowns against five interceptions. He suffered several broken ribs in a 38-35 loss to No. 10 Ole Miss, thus sidelining him again. 

Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson (14) is yelled to by Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher during a football game between Tennessee and Texas A&M at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday :: Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK

Prior to his arrival in College Station, Johnson played two seasons at LSU. The son of Super Bowl-winning quarterback Brad Johnson, Max Johnson elected to transfer from Baton Rouge after the Tigers hired Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly.

New head coach Mike Elko could elect to bring in another quarterback to compete with Weigman via the transfer portal. Weigman, who threw for 979 yards and eight touchdowns, is expected to remain in College Station under the new staff. 

Redshirt sophomore Jaylen Henderson also proved to be a viable option under center in place of the injured Johnson. Over his final three games, the Fresno State transfer completed 67.5 percent of his throws for 704 yards and scored six touchdowns against two interceptions. He also rushed for 104 yards and two scores. 

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A&M, which currently ranks 10th in the On3 recruiting rankings, also has three-star quarterbacks Miles O'Neill and Anthony Maddox as part of its 2024 recruiting class. 

Johnson was the second A&M player to enter the portal. Following Fisher's dismissal, receiver Raymond Cotrell announced his intent to leave the program.

In four seasons with LSU and Texas A&M, Johnson completed 60.5 percent of his throws for 5,853 yards and 47 touchdowns against 12 interceptions.